Ninth chapter: Awakening
Elrond stood before the crown prince of the Woodland realm. He looked just like he was asleep, and looked almost peaceful. Next to Elrond stood Estel, the adoptive son of Elrond, he looked troubled at the elven prince in the bed before him.
Elrond laid a hand on Legolas' forehead, trying to find some of the prince lifeforce, he could not feel it.
"It this really how your story shall end, Legolas?" he asked, his voice calm, not expecting an answer "with all you have done, been through and still have before you, is this really how it shall end for you".
Elrond smiled, a small, but nonetheless there, spark of lifeforce floated through his fingers.
"Is this really how is done, my prince? Am I really to provoke you to feel the life still in you?".
A bigger smile played on Elrond's face, he held his other hand out to Estel, who took it, and Elrond showed him how to find Legolas' lifeforce. It was a small light, surrounded by darkness, but it was there.
"You know you are making an excellent tryout on Estel" Elrond tried to tease, which resulted in a spark of light coming from Legolas.
Estel stepped back, surprised, "what does that mean?" he asked.
"That he is still with us" Elrond told, "and fighting. Legolas is the most humoristic of Thranduil's children, remember that. You can tease him and provoke him, you saw the effect from it just now. But it is a fine balance with Legolas, he has been through a lot. And he is a Thranduilion, never forget that either".
"I won't" Estel said, looking almost I awe at the elven prince before him.
"Well Legolas" Elrond turned his attention to the elf, "would you show us, or more precisely Estel, how much lifeforce there still is in you?".
The room floated in white light, twinkling like a thousand stars, it was hauntingly beautiful and fair. But soon the light faded, and the room was once again in twilight.
"Very good" Elrond said, smiling, "I'm here now, penneth, and we will try to get you out of this".
Small, almost desperate sparkles lighted from Legolas, Estel looked questionable at Elrond.
"He hears us, Estel" he told, "and he want to be free of this, quite desperate it seems. But now, rest, we will let him rest and come back later. For now, you are to meet his beautiful family".
Arin looked up when Elrond entered their living room, she sat with Theran, who were by now nine weeks old.
"Elrond" she greeted him.
"Arin" he greeted back, "meet Estel, my adoptive son".
Arin rose from the chair, walking over to Estel, he took her hand and kissed it.
"The rumors of your beauty of speaking truth" he said.
From the room to the right, two young elven women entered, making Estel look in astonishment at them.
"And this" Elrond said, waving his hand towards the young women, "is the famous daughters of Legolas".
"Famous" Rian teased, giggling, "why you flatter my lord, we are hardly famous".
"Well tales of your beauty travels far, even to Rivendell and Lorien" Estel told, making the girls flush.
"I'm Rian" the one in the yellow dress said, curtsying, "the firstborn daughter of Legolas".
"And I'm Rianath" the one in the light blue dress said, "the second born daughter of Legolas".
"And who is this?" Estel asked, looking to the child in Arin's arms.
"This is Theran" Arin told, "the second born son of Legolas, but nonetheless his heir. His twin sister a sleeping right now, you will meet her later".
Estel smiled to the child, being told beforehand that Legolas and Arin lost their firstborn son over forty years ago.
"You have beautiful children" Estel said.
"I have good news" Elrond said, guiding Arin back to her chair, "There is still lifeforce in Legolas, it's hard to find, but when you do, it shines bright as a thousand stars. He is still fighting, Arin, and trying to find his way back to you".
"Thank you, Elrond" Arin said, sincere.
"I would like to take you with me tomorrow morning, I think you can do a lot better than I".
Arin nodded.
The next day, Arin, Elrond and Estel was standing before Legolas' bed. Elrond once again laying on Legolas' forehead. Telling Arin to do the same. Estel's hand he took in his free one.
"Goodmorning Legolas" Elrond said, looking for the small light he knew was there, "talk to him, Arin, like he was awake, provoke him if you can" he told her.
"Legolas" she said, her voice calm, "melamin".
The sound of her voice seemed to awake something in Legolas, and the light started to shine brighter.
"That's good, penneth" Elrond said, "now show your wife just how much alive you are, and how much you fight for her and your family".
They were all taken aback by the white light that burst from Legolas. It filled the room and shone like stars.
"Come back to us, my love" Arin said, "your children miss you, and your youngest cannot understand where their father is".
The light shone brighter around the room, filling them with hope and warmth. But as suddenly as it came, it started to fade again.
"Try to keep it up Legolas" Elrond encouraged, "you cannot be tired already, you are not doing anything than sleeping" he tried to provoke.
The light burst fought again, almost knocking Elrond to the floor. A yelp sounded from Arin, and she looked surprised down at the hand she held.
"He squeezed my hand!" she exclaimed.
"Legolas" Elrond tried.
But the light faded, until only the sunlight filled the room.
"We will try again later, and continue until he decides to wake up" Elrond said a smile on his lips.
They continued like this for a week, trying to bring different family members. One afternoon Elrond, Estel, Arin, their two oldest daughters and Thranduil were in the room. Arin and Elrond with their hands on Legolas' forehead. Arin holding Legolas right hand, Elrond holding his left hand and Estel's hand. Rian Hold Legolas' left hand, and Rianath held her sister's, and she Thranduil's. Elrond had told all beforehand what they should do.
"Legolas" Elrond called, "do you hear us, or are you too fast asleep" he teased.
The small light became brighter, "I didn't think so, you were always known as a light sleeper I remember" he said.
"Come on Legolas" Elrond encourage again, "show us what you still have in you. Your family is here, show them, give them the hope you gave to me".
The light became a little brighter, "come on Legolas" Elrond said, "or are you sleeping to fast?".
The white star looking light burst forth in the room, filling the room. The light danced around his family, filling them with the force of his life, giving them hope. Suddenly, a whisper was heard in the light, it was Legolas' voice: "I'm still with you".
Arin and her daughters had tears in their eyes.
"Then return to us, ada" his daughters said in unison.
The light around them became brighter and started to swirl around them like a great wind was floating in it. Legolas squeezed Arin's and Elrond's hands, both of them looking down at him. It looked like Legolas tensed all his muscles, a scream escaping him.
"Estel" Elrond said, "pull the rope next to the door".
Estel ran and pulled the rope. Soon after Belenor entered, looking surprised at the scene before him. He hurried to Legolas, assisting Elrond trying to call Legolas back.
Legolas body began to cramp, a new scream escaping him. He tried to find his way back through the darkness. The pain intensified, and he heard the voiced clearer around him. Elrond was calling him, his voice calm and soft.
Legolas head was lifted, and a cup was pressed to his lips. Elrond told him to drink the warm liquid, and Legolas tried, but had difficulties swallowing it. Nonetheless he felt the effect of the herbs, and his body started to relax, and some of the pain lessened.
He opened his eyes, the world hazy around him. His eyes meeting Arin's and for a long moment they just stared at each other. The white light of Legolas still dancing around the room.
Elrond looked to Estel, who stood by the door, looking a little frightened. He walked over at putted a hand on his shoulder.
"It's all right" he said, "Legolas is a very strong and powerful person".
Legolas reached his hand towards Arin's, and she took it quickly. Belenor checked his vitals, finding his pulse beating strong, but his breathing too fast.
"Easy Legolas" he said calming, "ease your breathing".
Elrond walked to Legolas side again, checking his breathing, who was calming down.
"Legolas?" Elrond asked, getting his attention, "can you ease your light, just a bid?".
Legolas concentrated for a moment, and the light faded until all of it was back inside him, safe where it belonged.
"Good" Elrond said, smiling, "you did very well, penneth".
"When will you stop calling me that?" Legolas asked, his voice low, but smiling.
"When you get older than me" Elrond teased.
Legolas chuckled.
Thranduil gathered Legolas' family, giving the healers some space to check on Legolas. After they had left the room, Elrond and Belenor began to examine Legolas. Elrond told Legolas to reach for his hand, Legolas slowly lifted his hand, then his arm. He was shaking badly from the exertion. He tried to grip Elrond's hand, but could not coordinate his movements to reach it. Legolas' hand felt to the covers, he exhaled frustrated.
"Give it time, Legolas" Elrond said, "try again".
Legolas looked to where Elrond held his hand, concentration on the position. Then he raised a shaking arm again. He concentrated and tried to find Elrond's hand. Their fingers met, and Legolas tried to grip Elrond's hand, but he had not the strength to grip it.
"Good Legolas" Elrond encouraged, "your strength will return. It is very good you found my hand".
"Why?" Legolas asked.
"You were in a coma. Before that they had to revive you under your surgery, there is a risk that your brain took some damage in the process".
"Hmm" was all Legolas said, looking to where Belenor worked at the table, sorting herbs.
"Do you have any idea of how long time there has passed?" Elrond asked.
Legolas thought for a moment, turning his head to look out of the window.
"There is still snow outside" Legolas said, "and I really hope it is the same as I remember".
Legolas felt silent, and Elrond waited patiently, sitting on the chair next to the bed, Estel still by the door.
"Five weeks" Legolas said, his voice tired.
Estel looked surprised, but Elrond smiled.
"Good" Elrond said, taking a cup of steaming tea from Belenor.
Elrond helped Legolas drink the tea. It took a while, Legolas having trouble swallowing the liquid.
"How do you feel?" Elrond asked when Legolas had finished the tea.
"Tired" he replied.
"Is that all?" Elrond asked calmly, but a little skeptical, whipping a strand of Legolas' hair away from his forehead.
Legolas gave him a frustrated look, exhaling.
"You know me too well" Legolas said.
"I do" Elrond replied, smiling, "and right now, you are not a very good tryout for Estel".
Legolas looked to where Estel stood, still by the door.
"Well" Legolas said, looking back to Elrond, "I'm deciding to give him a lesson in difficult patients".
Elrond laughed, "that is an understatement, penneth. You are an impossible patient".
"I can approve on that" Belenor said, standing behind Elrond.
"Well, then I can't think of anyone better that you" Elrond said, waving Estel to the bed, "will you allow Estel to assist me while I examine you?".
Legolas took a long look at Estel, remembering him from Imladris, but that was many years ago.
"Yes" Legolas answered.
"You remember him?" Elrond told, Legolas nodded.
"I'm not sure I remember you though" Estel said.
"It was many years ago" Legolas told him, Estel nodded.
Elrond got op from the chair, removing the blanket covering Legolas. His legs and pelvis still wrapped tight in bandages and fixed, the coma not giving him much help to heel properly.
"Both of Legolas' legs and his pelvis got crushed" Elrond told Estel, "so be very gentle when you unwrap the bandages. We have to see how much it has healed".
Estel slowly and gently unwrapped the bandages around Legolas' legs and pelvis. Elrond and Belenor helping lifting when it was necessary, to spare Legolas the most. When it was done, Estel took a look at the long operations scars, going from the foot, un top of each leg to the waist. They had healed nicely. Elrond guided Estel's hands, feeling the bones under the skin. Belenor sat next to Legolas head, easing him when it got painful.
Estel felt first on Legolas' shin, they had almost healed. Then around his knees, he felt something that did not feel right, making Legolas hiss from pain when he touched it. Elrond felt at the point Estel pointed out, feeling a dislocation of the right knee.
"You know what to do" Elrond told Estel, who nodded and placed his hand on either side of the knee.
"This will hurt a bit" Estel told Legolas, "but is it necessary, our knee is dislocated, properly because it's not healing right".
Legolas nodded, and Estel pressed his fingers into Legolas' knee, and in one quick movement, twisted the knee so it relocated right. The motion sent sparks of pain through Legolas' legs, a painful scream escaping him.
Elrond helped fixing and wrapping the knee before Estel went on. The other legs were healing fine, but the pelvis healed wrong, and both Elrond and Belenor examined it.
"The pelvis you cannot relocate as you did the knee" Elrond told Estel.
"I figured" he said, a frown between his eyebrows, "surgery?" he asked.
"Yes" Elrond replied.
"Do not say I need to go to surgery again" Legolas said, his voice frustrated.
"I'm afraid so, Legolas" Elrond explained, "your pelvis is not healing properly".
"When?" Legolas asked, sighing.
"When we are ready" Belenor replied, "hopefully this evening".
The surgery was planned for the evening. It went without complication. Estel was allowed to fallow Legolas to surgery and observed the process. Legolas had problems waking from the anesthetic, but that was a common problem with Legolas. He stopped breathing, but all you had to do was laying a hand on his chest, telling him to breathe. Estel got assigned with this job.
The next few days Elrond tried to determine if Legolas suffered from any form of braindamage. But it didn't seem like it.
Two days after the surgery, Arin returned to his room, holding Theran, and Elrond holding Anariel. Legolas was still in bed, his broken legs and pelvis not able to support his weigh. He turned his head when the door opened, smiling when he saw who entered.
"There is someone who missed their father" Arin said, sitting herself in the chair next to the bed.
Elrond helped Legolas, putting a pillow under his arms so he had some support. Then he laid the little girl in his arms. Legolas got tears in his eyes, bending down and pressed a soft kiss on his daughter's forehead.
"They have grown" he said.
"Yes" Arin replied, smiling.
Some hours later, a chestnut brown haired elf entered the room, replacing the elf monitoring him. Legolas' eyes fallowed the elf as he got the report from the other, and thereby sat on the chair next to the bed.
"Good evening, my prince" he said, "it is good to see you awake again. How are you?".
Legolas did not answer at first, but kept looking at the elf, which started to make him uncomfortable.
"What is your name?" Legolas asked.
"What?" the elf exclaimed, not what he excepted.
"I remember you from before the coma, I have seen you before, but I cannot remember your name".
"I'm Belenir" he said, smiling, "Belenor's son".
"That's properly why you look so familiar".
"I guess. I have been his student for some years, and now I'm a trained healer myself".
"Ah" Legolas said, suppressing a yawn.
"You're tired" Belenir said, "rest".
"I'm not doing anything other than rest" Legolas said.
"Well you need it".
"It seems like it" Legolas said, this time turning his head, yawning.
"It does" Belenir chuckled.
Legolas turned his head back towards Belenir, "are you to sit here all night?" he asked.
"Yes".
"Good luck".
"Well thank you" Belenir chuckled, "I'm sure it will go fine".
Legolas smiled, getting more comfortable before closing his eyes, soon falling to sleep.
After three hours, Belenor entered to make his last examine of Legolas that day, he did this three times a day, unless something happened. Legolas woke the moment Belenor opened the door, and he smiled when he saw the prince looking his way.
"Always a light sleeper" he Belenor said walking to the bed, "how are you?".
"Tired, but that's no surprise" Legolas answered.
"Any pains?" Belenor asked.
"Legs, pelvis, lungs" Legolas replied, "the same as last time you asked".
"Getting a bit irritated, are we now?" Belenor said.
Legolas sighed, but didn't answer. Belenor removed the blanket from Legolas, taking a look at the new operation scars. He frowned, a hand going to Legolas' forehead. It was warm, too warm.
"You are having a fever" he said, "and the operation wounds is infected".
Belenor turned to Belenir, "make a fever reducing tea and a compress to lay on the wound, use athelas".
Belenir nodded and went to work. Belenor taking a basin of cold water and a cloth, lying the cool cloth on Legolas forehead. When Belenir was finish, he helped Legolas drink the tea, and thereafter helping his father wrapping the compress on the wounds. When they were finish, Legolas was almost asleep again.
After three weeks at the infirmary's intensive section, Legolas was finally relieved to come home. The first couple of weeks he spent with his family, and when he was ready, he started to retrain himself.
He got a new horse, the son from his old horse who died in the battle. Legolas always trained his own horses, and it turned out it was excellent training for him too.
He made a full recovery, to all healer's astonishment, and his own.
