Even the Leaves Fall

Chapter 8

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Aragorn moved quickly to sit on Legolas' bedside, being careful to keep his movements as quiet as possible as one of the side effects of orc poison is a splitting headache, even for the elves. With gentle hands he felt the friend's forehead, feeling the still raging fever inside the elf's body. *Indeed you are in Imladris, my friend,* he answered, barely above a whisper, knowing that the prince would hear him. *How are you feeling?*

*As if I were in the middle of a múmakil stampede,* he answered, voice barely reaching above a whisper. His eyes then caught sight of Elrohir still covered as he was by not only the grime that he had picked up from the miles that he had traversed at top speed, but also by the gore that accompanied the battle with the orcs they had both been participants in. *E-Elrohir!* he quietly exclaimed, voice weakly cracking in the middle of his out burst. *Why are you still covered with not only mud from the road but signs of battle?*

Elrohir smirked at the fact that his friend's first question was not whether or not he was injured or how he had come to be in Imladris, but having to do with his appearance. *Why, yes, Legolas, I am uninjured and have sat at your bedside the entirety of this last evening after riding without rest for two days after fighting a battle with orcs,* he answered sarcastically, hoping to raise some form of good natured response from the injured prince as he was used to this form of interaction through their years of their friendship.

Whatever the son of Elrond was expecting in return, he was disappointed when all that greeted his statement was silence. He was concerned when he saw that the prince's green eyes had wondered to stare at the graceful arch of the ceiling. He was concerned when he saw the telltale signs of high fever flushing his pale cheeks and glittering in his eyes. He reached one gentle hand to feel the pale forehead, wincing at the raging heat that he felt rising from his friend. Remaining calm he addressed his foster brother, *Estel, please go find ada. Tell him that Legolas has awoken.* He rose along with the ranger and walked him to the door, whispering in his ear right before he left, "Make sure to tell him that Legolas has the highest fever I have ever felt and is not acting entirely like himself." With a nod, Estel walked out the door, hurrying down the hall towards Elrond's chambers.

Elrohir returned to his chair to find that Legolas had not moved a muscle, odd for the normally ever moving elf. The door quickly opened once more to reveal Elladan carrying a tray of fruit and three mugs of steaming drink. *Good Morning, All!* he exclaimed boisterously, *I brought breakfast, thinking that we might be able to share breakfast on this fine day!* He then raised a single eyebrow as Elrohir shot him a glare that could be properly termed a 'death glare', before he looked at the pained grimace that was crossing Legolas's features. *Right,* he said, dropping his voice down to just above a whisper, *I'll be more quiet, I promise.* He then walked over and placed the tray on the bedside table, and sat down on the chair across from his brother, quickly taking stock of his friend's condition with his healer's practice. Not encouraged by what he saw, nonetheless, he still calmly reached for one of the steaming mugs of tea and held it out to his friend.

The only response that he received was for the golden head to turn away from the offered liquid, with the eyes remaining closed. Not one to be easily discouraged Elladan handed the mug of tea to his brother, who immediately took up the cause to get their friend to drink, he laid a hand on the prince's uninjured shoulder and whispered gently, *Legolas, I understand that you are not feeling well at all because of the poison, but the only way that any of us can help you is if you cooperate with us. You don't have to drink it all, but drink just a little. It will help you gain strength to recover.*

Legolas's emerald eyes flashed over at him for just a moment before he whispered, *It is only tea, correct? No sleeping herbs or anything of the like, yes?*

*All I put into the cup is tea, with a small bit of cinnamon and a dab of honey, just the way you prefer your tea to be brewed.* He smirked at the end, and decided to try humor once more to lighten the mood. *Did you really think that after our many years of our friendship that I wouldn't know how you prefer to have your tea prepared?*

He was awarded for his efforts with a slight twinkle in Legolas's eye as he took a sip from the mug that Elrohir was still holding in his hands. His pale lips then slightly tugged up into a smile as he whispered, *You are correct, Elladan, the tea is perfect. I thank you.* He then proceeded to steadily drink the rest of the contents of the mug before lying his head back against the pillows once more.

A soft knock sounded at the door before it creaked open to reveal Lord Elrond, looking refreshed after his night of rest, wearing his usual flowing maroon robes. He approached Legolas's bedside and smiled gently at his patient. *I am glad to see that you are awake, Legolas. That is always good to see after you come to Imladris unconscious, which seems to happen more often than not.*

The emerald eyes of the prince dropped away from the powerful elven lord and he whispered, *I am sorry to have been a trouble for you, Lord Elrond.*

Elrond sighed inwardly as he sat down on the side of the bed, and quietly said, *It is no trouble Legolas. I just am pleased that you are recovering. Now I have contacted your father and wife so they know of the situation. I expect to get some form of response from them soon. So you have nothing to worry about except your recovery.* To this he received no response as the emerald eyes glazed over in sleep once more, and Elrond looked over to Elladan who was looking slightly guilty, gazing at the now empty mug that had so recently been filled with Legolas's tea. *Thank you for your help, both of you.*

Both his sons nodded and Elladan answered, *We want him well as much as anyone, Ada. Besides, this is not the first time that I have given him drugged tea, you were just the one to actually put the sleeping powder in it this time, so I didn't have to lie.*

Elrond's gaze moved from Elladan to Elrohir and he raised an eyebrow at his appearance, *Elrohir, feel free to freshen up and get some rest, I understand that last night was not very restful for you and the last few days have been stressful. Elladan and I can take over watching Legolas.*

*You'll let me know if anything changes?* was Elrohir's immediate response, and once he received a nod from his brother he wearily rose from his chair and left the room. Elrond then turned to check on Legolas's condition, as Elladan took up the watch that his brother had held faithfully the entire night.

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King Thranduil,

I am writing to let you know that your son and his two guards have reached Imladris and are now under my protection. Sadly, I must let you know that Prince Legolas did not reach my boarders unscathed. The party was attacked by orcs shortly after crossing over the Misty Mountains, and your son took a poisoned arrow to his shoulder. Thanks to the quick actions of my sons and Glorfindel, he reached my halls in time for me to help him. I have but one worry. His reactions to treatment were slower than I have ever seen them, even though he has been injured worse than this previously. Has anything happened recently that could be affecting his health? Rest assured that he is having the best of care.

Elrond Peredhel

Thranduil reread the letter that had come by way of bird messenger that morning from Elrond for a third time before leaning back in his chair with a sigh. Why was it that every time he allowed Legolas to make the journey to Imladris without at least five guards he received word of bodily harm to his only son? "What am I going to do with you elfling?" Thranduil sail with a sigh running a hand through his hair worriedly. He looked down at the letter from Elrond once more and then allowed his glance to turn to a blank sheet of paper just waiting for him to pen an answer to send back with the falcon Elrond had sent with his message. He looked up once more at a tentative knock on his office door and he rose from his char to open the solid oaken door to reveal his daughter-in-law standing timidly, tears in her crystal blue eyes that were refusing to fall.

"You sent for me?" she said quietly before seeing the look on his face. Her control then broke and she burst out, "Have you received word from Elrond? Has Legolas reached Imladris? Has he been injured? Does he need me? What is happening?"

Her tears then began to fall as Thranduil gathered her into a fatherly hug, ushering her into his office as well as provide her some comfort. He knew that she and Legolas shared a very close bond, keeping it open while apart for comfort, Inwë must have felt something through the bond that was causing her worry. He settled her down on a plush overstuffed armchair, pouring her a fresh cup of tea.

"I have received a message from Imladris this morning. Legolas reached their boarders yesterday," he started gently, and then paused, trying to think of how to break the news to her as painlessly as possible.

He must have paused a moment too long as Inwë's eyes widened. "Ai,Valar," she breathed out a soft prayer, "Is he alright?"

Thranduil lowered himself into a nearby chair as he answered, "Elrond writes that he is recovering. He and his guards were attacked by orcs. He made it to Imladris in time."

Immediately Inwë was on her feet with a determined look on her fair features. Before she could leave the room in a rush he continued, "I have already called for provisions to be gathered. If you will just relax for a moment they, along with an escort will be ready to depart." Inwë sat back down once more and clutched her cup of tea as if she were drawing strength from its warmth. He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly to give her comfort. "I will send ahead to let Elrond know you are coming. And to tell him to let Legolas know you are on your way, that should lift his spirits until you reach Imladris." He immediately knew that he should have stopped after sending word as her mood immediately dropped after his statement.

"L-lift his spirits?" she whispered. "Is he fading?"

Thranduil knelt down in front of her and took her tea cup away before holding her hands firmly in his own. "Elrond made no mention of fading," he said strongly, as if trying to force the notion from her mind as well as his own. He then continued more gently, "You know how he becomes when he is injured, especially when you are not near. I meant only, that he will recover more quickly if you are near him." He paused for a moment to look her straight in her watery blue eyes, and reached a hand to caress her cheek. "I think it will do you good to get away from the shadows surrounding Eryn Galen. Spending time under the healing eaves of Imladris with your bond mate will aid the both of you."

She nodded her understanding before grabbing his hand from her cheek and moving it to her abdomen. She told him softly, "You should know before I leave that within the year you shall again be a grandfather."

Thranduil looked up into the sparkling blue eyes as he felt the spark of new life growing beneath his hand amazement clear in his usually serious green eyes. A knock on the study door interrupted the tender moment causing Thranduil to rise to his feet once more, heading to the door. The lieutenant of his personal guard was revealed on the opposite side of the portal. "Everything is prepared, Lord Thranduil. We are ready to leave whenever Lady Inwë is prepared."

"Thank you, Tathen. I will put on traveling clothes and meet you in the courtyard momentarily." She then swept out of the office past the other two and rushed down the hall.

"She seems to have taken the news well." Tathen observed as Inwë disappeared around the corner, walking quickly.

Thranduil sighed before answering, "Let's hope that she took it as well as it appears." He then turned back to his desk and took his seat once more before looking back at the lieutenant. "I leave it in your capable hands to get her to my son safely. I fear for the two of them if any more blows come to their hearts so soon."

Tathen replied with a bow, his hand fisted over his heart in salute. "She shall make it there, that is a promise, my lord."

"I know," Thranduil said with a slight smile on his features at the devotion that was shown in the words of the elf in front of him. "Now, get to the courtyard, I will be there momentarily to see you off."

With another bow Tathen left for the courtyard as Thranduil sighed once more and grabbed his pen. He quickly penned his response to Elrond, praying that he was making the correct decision by sending his daughter-in-law so soon after his son had been attacked on the same path.

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A/N: Hey all! Sorry for the delay, but I am back and promise to try for regular updates. As always I would love to hear your thoughts, whether they are good or bad! Flames are welcome! Until next time 