The Evil Inside
MCross Not mine, they belong to the wonderfully talented Tolkien and as much as I would love to say they belong to me, they don't. I own and get nothing for these stories apart from pure pleasure.
Rating: M for Horror/Angst Summary: On a visit to Imladris, Legolas begins to feel sick. He hides this from his friends until matters take their own course. What could be causing Legolas to black out and why is his behaviour changing so rapidly? Can his friends find out in time to help him? Reviews? – please. MAJOR WARNING! Gross scenes. Do not eat anything, or plan to eat anything, when you read this chapter. We are not kidding. Those with sensitive stomachs may want to skip this. It holds detailed description of a surgical procedure. (Even Elrond feels ill.) Thanks to my wonderful Betas Sara and Barbara. Also big thanks to Misty, Terri, Becky and Katy for their ongoing support and love. Sorry it has taken a little while to post this, having issues with my internet provider Many thanks to all my reviewers, I treasure every one. Answers to reviews will come via email, when I can get it sorted out again. Thank you. - Shell - Sindarin vocabulary - adar, ada … father, dad elleth, ellith … elf-maiden, elf-maidens ellon, ellyn … male elf, male elves hannon-le … thank you hennad … thanks hervenn uin sell-nin … husband of my daughter hir, hir-nin … lord, my lord Hithast galas ….. mistdust plant - an aromatic anti-nausea herb (our creation) mae govannen … well met (greeting) mellon-iaur … old friend navaer … farewell, goodbye Sílo Anor bo men lín. ... May the sun shine on your road. Chapter ten -o-o-o-o-o-o-o- "Thranduil is injured?" Mithrandir looked up. "Did it say how?" "No, it just says that he has been injured and that they will be here within the day." Elrond repeated. "I see." Mithrandir sounded grave. "What are you thinking, mellon-iaur?" Elrond could see that something bothered the Maia. "I think I will ride out to meet them. If they have had a meeting with the same spiders that Legolas met, then we need to get them here quickly. If Thranduil has been injured in the same way, we need to remove the spawn as soon as possible. Yes, I think a ride is necessary." Mithrandir stood and brushed Legolas' forehead with his hand, a sad look upon his face. "Take an escort with you? I do not like the idea of you traveling alone at this time. There is much going on that we do not understand yet. Please, Mithrandir?" Elrond almost pleaded with his old friend. "I think that is a good idea. I may have need of help. I will do as you wish." Mithrandir had a bad feeling about this. "Good, we will go and speak with Ceflavan and arrange a group of warriors to go with you". He turned to his sons. "You will stay with Legolas?" The minute he said it he knew it was unnecessary, for by the looks of it, not one of his sons would be willing to leave this chamber and their friend. "Never mind, forget that. I will be back shortly and we will change Legolas' dressings." "Alright, Ada, we will keep a close eye on him. If we need you, we will call for you." Elrohir told him. "Good, I will hear you. Come Mithrandir." They left the chamber. As they made their way down the stairs, Elrond was a little stunned to see the group that had gathered worriedly at the foot of the stairs. "Hir Elrond." The first ellon that stepped forward bowed respectfully. "How is Caun Legolas?" "He is very ill. Time will tell if he will recover, but for now he is stable and remains this side of Mandos' Halls." Elrond had not even spoken to his three sons of this worry. "We are grateful and will pray to the Valar for his recovery." The others in the group nodded before moving away. Now that Elrond had the time to look, they were mostly ellith, which he found amusing. "The young Prince is popular with the girls." Mithrandir sounded most amused and Elrond knew that Legolas would be teased unmercifully about this once he was well. "Yes, much to Thranduil's chagrin, he does not seem to be interested in them. We have tried to have him meet the eligible ellith but he really is not interested. He will meet someone though, and when that happens…" Elrond broke off as they stepped out into the afternoon sunshine. "Thranduil will rejoice." Mithrandir had no doubt. The Mirkwood King would be most glad for the happiness of his only child. "Aye, but before that will happen they have to be talking to each other." Elrond led the way over to the warrior's barracks. "There has been trouble?" Mithrandir turned curious, keen eyes to Elrond. "I think so, at least that is the impression I got from Legolas, although he did not say anything, as usual. Thranduil sent a missive that reached us before Legolas arrived. That in itself is unusual. The look on Legolas' face told me part of the story. He was not happy to see it." Mithrandir shook his head with worry. "It would seem there has been trouble indeed. I never thought I would see the day when there was strife between those two." They reached the building where they would find guards for the journey. "They are too much alike. I fear it was bound to happen. Come let us gather an escort." Elrond opened the door and ushered Mithrandir in. Following, he closed the door behind him. Ceflavan looked up from speaking to one of his warriors. He stood in one graceful move and then bowed deeply. "Hir Elrond." "Mae govannen, Ceflavan and Heledir, I have a request to make of you." Elrond smiled at them both and they seemed to puff up with pride. "Of course, Hir-nin, how may we serve you?" Ceflavan asked. "Mithrandir is riding out to meet Aran Thranduil's party. I would like an escort to go with him." Elrond told them. "Of course, Hir-nin, I will arrange an escort." Ceflavan nodded his agreement. "How is Caun Legolas?" "He is stable at present, but I fear he is very ill." Elrond's face was worried. "I am sorry to hear that. I hope he recovers soon." Ceflavan liked the Mirkwood Prince. "I have not often seen such blood. I saw you carry him in earlier." The other ellon, Heledir, spoke up from beside his Captain. "I am glad that he will be alright. Ro and Dan wanted him to compete in the archery…" He cut off. He had not meant to mention that. "Oh? You are not hiding things from me, are you Heledir?" Elrond raised his right eyebrow, with a look of amused curiosity. He had no illusions as to what went on with his sons behind his back. "No, Hir-nin, of course not!" Heledir looked flustered, something that was not often seen. "So, an archery competition with Legolas? How many of you are in on this? What is the bet?" This would be interesting. "Uhm, well... I…" Heledir looked to his Captain for help. "It is only a small wager, Hir-nin. The proceeds are meant to go to Lindenol's family." Lindenol had been killed two weeks earlier during a surprise orc attack on the borders of Imladris. Even Imladris was not wholly exempt from the growing evil that troubled Middle-earth now. "That is a nice gesture. I am sure his bonded, Mithanel, will appreciate the thought. I will give you double what you make and I will also bet on the Caun to win, of that I have no doubt, although it may have to wait for some time. I will leave Mithrandir with you. I must get back to Legolas." Elrond turned back to his old friend. "Please take care, Mithrandir, navaer." "I will, Elrond." Mithrandir reassured him. He turned back to Heledir. "I will match Elrond's generous gesture." "Hannon le, Hir-nin. Come and we will select an escort. I am sure that Heledir will be willing to lead the troop." Ceflavan turned to his junior. "It would indeed be pleasure to do so." Heledir bowed and smiled at the grey-robed wizard. "You will choose the men to go with you?" Elrond asked Heledir. "Aye, my own men are here and rested. We were going back out on patrol tomorrow. I can easily gather them." Heledir assured them. "Good, please do that. You can trust Heledir and his men, mellon-nin. They are all experienced warriors and I would trust them with my life." At Elrond's praise, Heledir seemed to fluff up with pride, even more so than before. "Thank you, Elrond. Now go and get back to the elfling that needs you!" Mithrandir chivvied the Elf Lord out of the chamber and closed the door behind him. Elrond stood there, amused, as the door was firmly closed behind him. "Only Mithrandir." Elrond shook his head and made his way back. The elfling did need him. He hurried back to the Last Homely House. He looked down at himself. Now would be the best time to change his blood-stained robes. He did not want Legolas to see them. -o-o-o-o-o-o-o- Estel sat by the head of the bed. He had not moved since Adar had left, he was so worried about Legolas. Imagine having something like that growing in you! He shivered inadvertently. The thought alone was enough to make him feel very sick to the stomach. With a sigh he removed the cloth from the hot forehead and rinsed it in the warm water. "How is he?" Elladan had taken on the chore of keeping the chamber warm for his injured friend. As such, he was re-building the fire. Legolas would need help until he was really well and after this? Well… it might take some time. "No change." Estel's voice was gruff with worry. "I wish he would wake up." Elrohir spoke up from where he was chopping herbs, anything he could do with his hands. It had taken some time to bring himself to touch the spider web in order to prepare it as well. After all that had happened… the very thought had made him shudder. Elrond's voice answered. "He will." He closed the chamber door behind him. "It may take some time, but Legolas will recover. It may take more time until he can take part in that competition in the contests you have planned." He could not help teasing his sons. "But… how?" Elrohir sounded shocked. "I have eyes and ears, ion-nin. I am pleased that you would do something to help a fellow warrior's family." Elrond had a gentle smile for the younger twin. "We wanted to do something to help." Elrohir told him. "You have, ion-nin. They will be grateful to you. And I am proud, so very proud of all of you and how you have reacted with what has happened recently. Legolas is very lucky to have the three of you as his friends." Elrond smiled at them fondly from the doorway. He was so very proud of all of his children, by blood or not, and that included Legolas. "Hannon le, Ada, but I think it is we who are lucky to have Legolas as our friend." Estel smoothed back the hair from the blond elf's hot head. He hated seeing Legolas like this, he was not used to seeing him stay still for more than a few seconds. "How is Glorfindel?" "I have a headache and Gailarphen wanted to keep me for the night, but we agreed that as long as I am not alone, I could leave." Glorfindel carefully stepped out from behind Elrond in the chamber doorway. He looked pale and had a bandage around the side of his head. "Glorfindel! You should not have left your bed, mellon-nin. Come and sit beside Legolas. We can keep an eye on you both then." Elrond whirled to help him across the chamber to a chair. "Hennad. How is Legolas?" Glorfindel had not taken his eyes from the injured Prince. Legolas truly looked dreadful. "I fear he is not good, Glorfindel, not at all. What has Gailarphen told you?" He made sure that Glorfindel had water within reach. The blond warrior had a slightly dazed, out-of-it look that spoke of concussion. "Just that you had to operate on him and that he was very ill, 'dangerously ill' I think was how he put it." Glorfindel had not believed that, but now that he had seen Legolas with his own eyes, he could not deny that they had been right, possibly had even been glossing the news for him. "When we found you and Legolas, he was trying to cut into his stomach…" Elrond began the tale. As he told it, he set about dealing with Legolas wounds. He started with the one on his arm. To his dissatisfaction, there was no improvement in the wound at all. There had been deterioration, actually. The wound was worse than it had ever been. What had once been a long thin cut was now long and wide. Elrond could actually see the muscle. He had thought the last time he had seen the wound that it looked as if something was eating the flesh. He was now certain that was what was happening. "Ada?" It was Elladan's voice and yet it was unlike any tone that he had ever heard his son use before. He sounded strangled, shocked, horrified and terrified all at once. He sounded like someone who wanted desperately to wake from a nightmare and yet could not. Elrond also wished above all else that someone would waken him from this night terror so that he could go on with his day! "I need to clean the wound properly. We cannot leave it with this infection. Elladan, I need hot coals to heat the instruments I will need. Glorfindel, stay, do not move. Elrohir gather as many bandages as you can and get Gailarphen. I will need his help. Estel, I need you to continue preparing the herbs and roots that Elrohir started. Concentrate on blood-making potions and herbs for stopping bleeding. I have a bad feeling that we are going to need them and all the help that we can gather." Elrond told them. "Go!" They did not have the time to ponder Elrond's instructions. Legolas did not have the time. They all jumped to it, each going to their separate task. Soon the chamber was a hive of activity once more as they all rushed to help the Elven Prince. Finally, they were ready. Gailarphen arrived, ready to assist Elrond. Poor Glorfindel was not well enough to even move from the chair. Even moving an eyebrow sent bells of pain pealing in his head. Gailarphen had been warned about the extent of the damage to Legolas' arm but when Elrond removed the clean dressing that had covered the wound, he was quite shocked. The Master Healer looked closer. "I believe you were right about the infection, Elrond. I do not recall ever seeing one eat away at the flesh this rapidly before." A fully healed wound should not have degenerated to this extent. As for that spider… it was something new to him as well. "What are you going to do?" Gailarphen asked, though he had a good idea. They had worked together for centuries. "Remove as much of the infected tissue as possible. Then we need to pack it and make certain that it heals slowly but properly. If that does not work…" The muscles of Elrond's jaw jumped and twitched. Elrond's voice was grim as he washed his hands in the hot water provided. "Well, let us just say that it has to work." Treatment of his arm took more than two and a half hours. In that time, Legolas did not stir once, thanks to Estel's use of the sleeping herbs. He was, in all probability, too weak to awaken anyway. "Do you think it will heal?" Elrohir asked as he stood holding the limp arm so that it could be bandaged properly. "We can pray and hope that it will. It will be aided." Elrond did not need to say by what it would be aided nor did they ask. "You will see to his stomach now?" Glorfindel sipped at the cool water he had just lifted in the goblet. "Yes, I want to make certain that there is no infection and that it remains so." Elrond was more than a little worried about that. Legolas had no idea who had placed that thing inside him, nor what they had used. Just thinking of it made him shudder. Could they have come this far to lose Legolas to a simple infection? Not if he, Elrond, Lord of Imladris, had his way! "Take five minutes for a break, Ada. You will not help Legolas by exhausting yourself." Elladan could see the fatigue that pulled at his Adar. He sighed with relief as Elrond nodded his agreement and sat down. He happily went to make both Elrond and Gailarphen some hot tea. A little Miruvor would not go amiss either. Knowing that he did not need to move from the chamber helped greatly, he would be able to stay close to Legolas. Elrond looked up wearily when the goblet seemed to appear out of nowhere. "I thought it might help, Ada, there is one for Gailarphen as well. I have added Miruvor." Elladan's voice was low. The chamber was silent. The grim contemplation clear to all of them. The heady relief that Legolas was going to get better now that the spider was removed was gone. It was replaced by the worry that Legolas might not survive this if huge infection set into his abdominal wound, or if the wound in the arm turned gangrenous. He had removed a lot of the skin and muscle in and around the wound to stop the infection. Now it was down to Legolas, to whether or not Legolas wanted to get better. That was not something Elrond would normally have considered, but this was not 'normally'. How could having a spider growing inside your abdomen be normal! As it was, there was a huge chance they would still have to remove his arm to save Legolas' life. Elrond had already been forced to remove so much muscle tissue that Legolas would be lucky to use a bow again any time soon, if ever. Elrond tried to pull himself away from the depressing thoughts that he had fallen into. He lifted the goblet and was not shocked to see that his hand shook. After what he had found necessary to do to Legolas, it was not surprising. Despite the necessity, it had felt like harming another to him. "Do you want something to eat, Ada?" There was a slight reluctance in Elrohir's voice, he knew how he felt about eating after seeing that wound, and the smell. There was no sign of the normally-jovial twins that Imladris was all too used to. Even they were grim-faced with concern. "No thank you, Elrohir. I do not think that I could eat a bite, perhaps later on? How are you all? If you feel that you need to take some time away from the chamber please do. None of us with think any less of you if you do." That was how too many young healers felt, that they had to be strong, that they had to carry on no matter what, that they could not show any signs of weakness. Yet to him, to Elrond, that was the biggest sign of weakness of all. Not being able to admit that you felt ill and needed to remove yourself from a situation was not good sense. "If we need to, we would let you know, Ada." It was Estel that answered from where he stood beside the head of Legolas' bed. He was currently washing the pallid face of his friend. "Good, please do. Glorfindel, how are you holding up?" He turned to look at his friend. "I am fine." There was an undercurrent of pain in his voice. Elrond looked at him a little closer. "I think you should go to bed, mellon-nin. I can see that your head pain is worse than you are telling me. Ro, can I have some tea for…" "Of course Ada, I am mixing it now." Elrohir's voice was calm and quiet. The entire chamber was quiet and tense, as if all of Arda was waiting for something, but Elrond could not have said what that was. "I do not need to go to bed. I am just sore, the herbs should do." Glorfindel knew that he would not be able to get out of taking the herbs, but was it really necessary for him to be put to bed like a small elfling? He had only taken a knock to the head after all! Anyone would think that he had been unconscious for over thirty minutes. It had only been twenty after all! "Glorfindel, from the pallor of your face, I really would advise that you forget your silly pride and lay down! You will be anyway, if you keep carrying on like this. You know that after a head injury like yours, rest is the best thing." Elrond was used to his friend's stubbornness in these situations. He could, quite frankly, be as bad as Legolas when he wanted to be. "Perhaps, in a while." Glorfindel partially relented. "Why not now?" Elrond raised an infamous eyebrow at him. "Because… I think if I move… I may make a mess of Legolas' nice clean chamber floor!" It was a reluctant admission. "I will add something for that." There was a small grin on Elrohir's face, although it did not reach the grey eyes that still flickered worriedly to Legolas. "See, mellon-nin, all taken care of." Glorfindel's smile was gentle. It must be quite bad if Glorfindel actually said that he felt unwell. "Once you have had the tea and feel better, we will help you back to bed." "Legolas?" It was only one word, but carried a world of worry from Glorfindel. "We will see to his abdomen after I am certain that you are comfortable." Elrohir was ready with the tea for Glorfindel, even as Elrond spoke. Truthfully though, Elrond needed a break too. The Balrog Slayer did not bother to hide the look of distaste on his face. He really did not want to take the tea, but with the way his head felt it was for the best. Why did it really have to taste so awful? He was sure they made it this way deliberately. As if he did not feel bad enough… "You need to drink that, not glower it to death!" Elrond could not help himself. Glorfindel really did look rather ridiculous! Gailarphen laughed first, and then it was rather like seeing a ball rolling out of control around the chamber as, one by one, they all laughed at the absurdity of the comment. It was a welcome relief to their anxious nerves. Even Glorfindel laughed gently, it hurt too much to do much else. He had been doing just that, glowering at the goblet, as if hoping that it would burst into flames and disappear! He reluctantly took the goblet and began to sip the tart fluid. "You think he will be alright?" They did not need to ask who it was that Glorfindel was referring to. "I hope so. I pray that he will be awake when Thranduil arrives, at least." Elrond admitted. "When Thranduil arrives? Thranduil is coming here?" Glorfindel sounded surprised. "Aye, I sent for him." Elrond turned a worried look on his friend. Glorfindel had known of the letter. "Of course, before all of this really started. When do you expect him?" He suddenly recalled their conversation the morning of the storm. "They have met with some trouble, but they should arrive later this evening or tomorrow morning." Elrond looked up at the sky, it was now early afternoon. "Trouble?" Glorfindel finished his tea and turned to face Elrond with a look of worry. "Aye, but we do not know what yet. We know they have injuries. Mithrandir is riding out to meet with them." They looked up as the door opened. As if called by the mention of his name, Mithrandir poked his head around the chamber door. "I am leaving now. I am taking Healer Nestoron with me. I thought that might be wise. If we have to deal with something similar to that which attacked Legolas, I thought it better to take it out immediately." "A wise decision, mellon-nin. Safe journey and please take care. Sílo Anor bo men lín. Navaer." Elrond bowed his head. He agreed with everything that the Maia had just said. He could have kicked himself for not thinking of it himself. But then, he did have more than just a little to occupy his mind at the moment with Legolas. "I will. Look after the Prince." Mithrandir was gone, his voice floating down the corridor. "Is it true about the spider?" Glorfindel had not disbelieved the healers or Gailarphen, but it had seemed a little farfetched. "Yes, unfortunately, and I have the proof safely tucked away in the cold room so that I can dissect it later." From the look on Elrond's face, he was not looking forward to it. "Poor Penneth. He must have been terrified and feeling so alone." There was sorrow in Glorfindel's tone. He had already forgiven Legolas for the blow to his head. Estel shivered as he thought of himself in Legolas' place, feeling the spider grow within him. It was a truly terrifying thought. He did not think he would have been able to stay as silent for as long. Elladan was thinking of the same thing. Elrohir had decided he did not want to think about that too deeply. "It is time to see to Legolas' abdomen." Elrond felt he could put it off no longer. He had rested as much as he dared. "Let us get you settled in bed and then we can begin." With Elladan's help, Elrond aided Glorfindel to one of the beds they had set up in the room earlier. Legolas would not be left alone for some time to come. He would need his friends and family close. Unfortunately, Elrond was right about it being bad. As soon as they folded back the loose bed clothing and saw the spreading stains on the bandages, Elrond knew that some, if not all of his fears were about to be proven right. It was not all one colour, but a mixture. Admittedly most of it was red, but intermingling with that were also greens and yellows and up towards the top of the bandage it was stained an ominous black. Elrond actually swallowed uncomfortably, glad that he had decided not to eat. He would already have deeply regretted it. With a sigh, he readied himself, trying to hearten and encourage the others. Estel looked as pale as parchment and the others looked almost as bad. He shared a concerned glance with Gailarphen before they silently began. He quickly washed his hands and, with Gailarphen's help, removed the bandages. He did have to look away when they lifted the pad covering the wound. A nerve jumped madly along his jaw and he took in short deep breaths through his nose to prevent the sudden smell from entering. If he had thought about it… "Estel we need more athelas crushed. We need a lot of it and other sweet herbs spread around the chamber." That would help them all. Estel nodded while he gulped in air as well. He could not stand to look at his best friend's stomach. That could not be Legolas' stomach. He would not believe that this was happening to his friend. "Yes, Ada." It was a relief to turn his back and he felt very guilty about that. This was Legolas, for Valar's sake! If their positions had been reversed he knew that Legolas would not hesitate, would have stayed at his side. He was not worthy of calling Legolas his friend. His hands shook a little as he crushed the herbs; athelas, lavender, mint and others, to release the refreshing, fragrant scent into the chamber. As he moved from surface to surface, sprinkling the herbs around, he could sense the others relaxing a little. "How bad is it?" Glorfindel sounded strangled. "Worse than I dreamed. There is already infection. Estel, I need a lot of athelas, yarrow and thyme to use as a packing and some in a tea. Ro, I need lots of hot water. This will take some time to clean." A ripping sound told Elrond that his next order was already being answered before he could say anything about bandages "I will finish removing the dressing and the old paste. Go and wash your hands again, Elrond." Gailarphen took over from the obviously-shaken Elrond, though the tall raven-haired Master Healer looked pale as well. Elrond was a little unsteady as he walked to the bath chamber to do as Gailarphen suggested, grateful for his help. He needed this time to gather his thoughts and prepare for this. Treating Legolas' arm had been bad enough, but this… Abdominal wounds were always risky, they turned bad so easily. He hunched over the stone bowl and tried not to retch, unsure whether he would be sick or not. He had to see this through. He had to be strong enough to cope with this. They all greatly depended on his strength. A warm brush against his mind told him he was not alone and he smiled. /You are never alone, Elrond. You always have my support. Legolas is very lucky to have you as his healer./ The cool voice was like a balm over his shaken fea. /You are not the only one looking after our darling Caun hervenn uin sell-nin. There are many others./ Galadriel's voice was calm, as always. He had never known her to be anything other than calm. He wished more than anything that he could do the same. /There are/ Elrond thought wearily. /Aye. He has our support as well. Our use of the Rings will aid him until he can heal under his own strength. My Mirror has shown me that there is great evil spreading in Mirkwood at this time and our kin have grave need of our aid. Thranduil has been injured. You must be ready to aid him. Celeborn has already left with a troop of Galadhrim to come to their aid. The next few weeks will be hard, I fear. The outcome is not one that I can see, it is clouded and hidden. Thranduil will come through, but Legolas…? We must heal the rift that grows between them. It works against us./ /I knew that things were a little uneasy between them, but I did not realise how bad. I wish Legolas would speak of his worries./ That was the one thing Elrond would change about Legolas, that he felt he had to hide his problems. /That you will never change about Legolas. I would not even try. What we can do is be there to support him. Do not berate him for hiding this. That was not his doing. The creature was created with the power to prevent its victim from talking. That is what Legolas is in this, a victim. I fear there will be more./ Galadriel's voice was sad. /I will aid him all I can. But… / Elrond hesitated somewhat. He did not know whether or nor he should actually say the words. He had only hinted at them but he had not actually said the cold words. /But I am not sure I can save his arm. It is so badly infected that I fear I am only giving him time./ There! He had finally said it, there was some weight lifted from his shoulders. Just some. /Give him that time, Elrond. Do not begrudge it. Legolas will thank you, whatever the outcome./ /I know and that is what makes it worse. Legolas will sit there and thank me, no matter what/ He could only shake his head in wonder and sadness. /I need to return to him now. His abdomen is very badly infected, worse than his arm and I do not want to give it the chance to get any worse./ /I will be with you, Elrond. If you need strength, then reach for me. You will always have it./ /Hannon le, Galadriel. I will talk with you when I know more, later this afternoon./ He shook himself and stood. He splashed cold water on his face before he thoroughly washed and then dried his hands. The chamber had barely changed when he returned, though the air was fresher thanks to the athelas and other sweet herbs that had been spread about the chamber and were also burning in the fire itself. "Are you alright, Ada?" Elladan looked up. He still looked pale. "We were getting worried." "I am as well as I can be. Your DaerNana contacted me to offer her support. Are we ready?" They all nodded their agreement, but he still did not start. He just looked at each one seriously. "If you feel you must leave, do so. There is no weakness in it. This is your best friend. I am also suffering through this. If you need fresh air, please, go take the air. You can always return. Understood?" The nods and "ayes" reassured him. He took a deep breath and stepped up beside Legolas. Estel still stood at Legolas' head, his hand on his friend's thin shoulder, in a gesture of comfort, or need, Elrond could not have said. He looked grey and so strained that Elrond almost ordered him from the chamber. He even opened his mouth to do so before he changed his mind. They were adults and could make their own decisions, no matter how hard it was for him. "Let us begin then." He nodded to Gailarphen, who removed the loose cloth that covered the thin abdomen. It was far worse than he expected, even from his previous glimpse, and the smell was no better. He thanked the Valar for his training. It was the only thing that kept him standing there and in control. Without the covering of the athelas and yarrow dressing, the wound was laid bare for all to see. It was still bleeding heavily in places. Both of the elven Master Healers had attended births where the baby had to be removed from the mother to save either or both of their lives, but this wound, while similar, was also totally different. Rather than along the mid-line, the wound was purely over the right side of Legolas' abdomen, centered over the area where the raised scar had been, extended from the wound Legolas had inflicted on himself. This was not neat, the entire wound was ragged and the edges black. It would be necessary to take the flaps back until they reached healthy tissue. The hole, and that was all it could be called, a large gaping hole, showed a mixture of muscles and tendons. The white of ribs could be seen. This was going to be a long, tedious job. "I need warm athelas water. I want to wash this out to see how much muck and debris I can get out before we do anything else." The water was quickly provided and Elrond poured it slowly and gently into the wound. With Gailarphen's help, he then turned Legolas onto his side so that the wound would drain, washing out a mixture of old and new blood and infected fluid. They had just turned him onto his back when the sound of gagging was heard as Estel ran for the bath chamber, his hand over his mouth. He vanished into the chamber and the door closed behind him. Grim-faced, Elrohir took his place, his own face tinged with green, but he was determined to help Legolas. Nothing was said. What could they say? They all felt the same. When Estel returned from the bath chamber, he was pale and sweaty. He was gulping and the action became worse when he saw what Elrond was doing. His hand was deep inside his friend's abdomen. He could take no more and gagged once more before he fell to the floor in a dead faint. Elladan stood. "I will get help." He looked just as pallid. Elrond nodded distractedly. He was too interested in making sure that Legolas had not sustained damage to his right kidney. The spider's 'placenta' had been attached to the renal artery and had fed from Legolas via that. Glorfindel closed his eyes the second time that Estel gagged. He had already felt sick and dizzy. He realised that he should have left the chamber while they did this, but he had also wanted to be with Legolas. He wanted to give him support. Besides, he was the mighty Balrog Slayer! He had seen worse than this! Actually, no he had not. This was as bad as he had ever witnessed. How was Legolas going to make it through this? "The kidney is bleeding badly. I need to suture it. Phen, can you sort out the suturing material? I will wash my hands." Glorfindel made the mistake of opening his eyes at that point in time. It was a big mistake. Elrond turned, his bloodied, pus-covered hands clear for Glorfindel to see. Glorfindel could not prevent it then. He retched helplessly into the basin that had been left close to him. Elrond looked up and grimaced. He was not feeling that good either, in fact he felt almost as bad as Glorfindel and Elrohir looked. Elrond's voice showed the strain as he spoke. "Elrohir, may I suggest that you prepare some hithast galas? I think we could all use some of it." Elrohir nodded gently. He was not sure he dared open his mouth to answer. He had a feeling he would regret it if he did, he just made fast work of crushing the herbs to a fine powder. He gave it to Ada first, who looked particularly bad, then Gailarphen, while Glorfindel was still retching. He was next, then Estel, who still lay on the floor. Gailarphen returned the favor with a grim smile. "Hennad." Elladan then opened the door and Healer Thelion hurried in along with Ivorhen. The two of them hurried to Estel and helped him to a bed while Elladan aided Glorfindel. "Do you want me to help you outside?" Elladan had deliberately avoided looking at Legolas or Elrond. "Nay, I do not think I could move. Some water saes?" Glorfindel asked him as Elladan carefully removed the basin and its contents to the bath chamber to empty and clean it. "Of course." Once that little task was completed and the basin returned, Elladan returned to his post to help supply whatever his Adar or Gailarphen needed. When Elrond returned from the bath chamber after washing his hands again, Gailarphen gave him an appraising look. "Do you think you can carry on?" Elrond nodded, glad his hands were clean. He carefully sutured all the little and large nicks he could find. It took some time. Finally, after more than five hours, Elrond was almost finished with the last of the debridement and cleaning. He was exhausted and felt nauseous. He was not immune to it, no matter how he may hide it. There had been a lot of damage done to the Prince's abdomen. Elrohir prepared the athelas and yarrow mix and also a layer of spider web to cover the hole. Elrond would not be able to close the wound yet, not with the infection that was still there. "I want to do one final wash out before we dress the wound." Elladan had already anticipated his thinking and had the warm athelas water ready. Once more, Elrond gently filled the wound and then helped turn Legolas over onto his side. It was Elladan, strong, sturdy Elladan who jumped back with a gasp of shock when they rolled Legolas back over. It made them all jump. "Elladan, what?" Elrond looked at him with shock. Elladan could not answer. All he could do was point to something black that had fallen to lay on the floor… -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- To be continued