Chapter 11
'I don't know if he's going to survive'
These words were ringing in Hirion's head as he and Landion followed Ionwë to the healing ward.
"We should take the left corridor and enter from the back door, so that Thranduil wouldn't notice us."
Hirion just nodded at that. He felt a lump growing in his throat by every step they took toward the healing ward. He still couldn't believe what had happened a few minutes ago. Legolas' terrified eyes wouldn't leave his mind. He shook his head and tried to keep calm. He glanced at the two healers who were carrying Legolas. He stretched his neck to take a better look at his prince but his vision was blocked by the healers. He finally gave in and walked ahead to open the door for them.
The healing rooms were bright with morning light and the sound of the birds singing echoed between the clean walls.
'It would have be a beautiful morning if Legolas wasn't in such a dire situation.' Hirion thought to himself. They were lucky that the healing ward was designed in 'L' shape. They put Legolas on a bed as far away as possible from Thranduil although the king couldn't see Legolas by any chance but they had to be careful.
Ionwë gestured at Hirion and Landion to keep quiet as he started examining Legolas.
"How did he get poisoned in the first place?" Said Landion in a hysterical voice. "I watched over Lady Nessima while she was preparing his food! And I wash his clothes myself! How on Arda…"
"And are you sure about the safety of the wine?" Asked Hirion thoughtfully as he tried to distract himself from looking at Legolas' pale face.
"Pardon me?" Asked Landion in pure confusion.
"The bottle of wine you put on his table in the balcony yesterday afternoon!" Said Hirion impatiently.
"I swear to Valar I didn't put anything on his table yesterday!" Exclaimed Landion in horror.
Hirion put his hand on his mouth, afraid that his suddenly loud voice might attract Thranduil's attention.
"Hush! What do you mean? There was a bottle of wine on Legolas' table yesterday! Right in the balcony! Think carefully before you answer!"
Landion started saying something which was muffled by Hirion's hand.
"Say that again." Hirion demanded as he removed his hand.
"I said the bottle of wine in the prince's room was empty and I forgot to fill it yesterday and I was about to fill it this morning but I found out it was full of wine already, I thought the prince might have refilled it himself!" He said in a trembling voice but Hirion wasn't listening anymore. Guilt and horror started creeping into his mind as he darted out of the healing room.
'How could I allow this to happen?' Hirion thought to himself as he ran down the corridor unheeding to the surprised eyes of the elves that followed him. He burst into Legolas' room and jumped toward his table just to find the bottle of wine resting on it. The red liquid was shining innocently in the morning light.
Hirion grabbed it and was about to leave the room when he came face to face with Arthion.
"What is wrong with you Hirion? I shouted your name several times, the whole Mirkwood heard my voice except for you." He said in a disapproving tone. "Anyway, where is Legolas? He's late! Everyone is waiting for him in the king's office and… Hirion! I'm talking to you! Wait!"
He ran after Hirion who pushed him aside and ran out of the room.
"What on Arda… Hirion?" He finally managed to grip Hirion by arm when he was about to disappear around a corner.
"You'd better tell me what is going on, NOW!" He said, still panting from running all the way after Hirion.
"Legolas has been poisoned and I have no time to explain! You just make sure that Thranduil wouldn't find out!" Hirion replied before freeing himself from his grip and leave the astounded captain behind. Arthion watched in awe as Hirion disappeared from his sight. He blinked several times before turning on his heels and ran back to the king's office.
Hirion entered the healing ward and handed the bottle of wine to Ionwë who was busy making a smelly potion.
"What is this?" He asked Hirion before going back to his work.
"I believe Legolas has been poisoned by this."
Ionwë's eyes narrowed at hearing this and he snatched the bottle from Hirion's grasp in one swift motion. He started scanning the bottle. "Iauron, finish the potion I was making." He told one of his assistances without looking up from the bottle. He walked to a nearby desk and poured a small amount of the wine in a glass. Hirion and Landion came to stand beside him.
The healer added a few drops of a colorless liquid to the glass of wine and waited in silence. After a few second black spots started to appear on the surface of the wine and in less than a few seconds the whole wine had turned into black.
"No…" Ionwë whispered and took some steps back from the desk.
"What?! What is it?!" Hirion demanded as fear started to take over him.
"It's as I feared… it's the black Lilium." Answered the healer and rushed back to Legolas' side. He motioned for Iauron to bring the potion he'd been making.
"Hold him up." He told Landion who quickly lifted Legolas' shoulder up so that Ionwë could pour it slowly down his throat. When he was finished Landion put his prince down on the bed and stared at his gray face with his dark teary eyes.
"Will he be fine? Was that the antidote you gave him?" He asked hopefully.
"I'm sorry Landion." Said the healer and rose from the bed.
"What do you mean you're sorry?! Tell me he'll be fine… tell me he'll survive… please…"
Hirion pleaded. Ionwë turned around to face the golden haired bodyguard.
"The potion I gave him will slow down the poison and stable his condition for a while but… I'm afraid there is no known antidote for the poison of the black Lilium…"
"What is this black Lilium?!" Hirion almost yelled, looking definitely astonished.
"It's a rare flower and it contains a fatal poison, it was used by Avari." Said Ionwë in a calm voice.
"Avari?! But we have no Avari in Mirkwood!" said Hirion as he sat on the edge of the bed and took Legolas' hand in his own and bent his head.
"Please Master Ionwë… please do not tell us there is nothing you can do…" Said Landion as tears welled up in his eyes once more. Just the thought of losing his liege was enough to break him down.
"I will try anything in my power to help him. I love Legolas as much as you do." Said Ionwë and put his hand on Landion's shoulder compassionately.
"Someone must inform the king." Said the healer as he walked back to his desk.
"No… I can't do it…I can't…" Said Hirion in a low voice.
Ionwë sighed and opened an old book on his desk. "If you don't do this then who else can? Landion?!"
"No!" Landion moaned pitifully.
"You are a healer! You certainly know how to do these sort of things." Hirion reasoned.
Ionwë narrowed his eyes. "Pardon me? What makes you think that telling parents that their beloved child has been poisoned by a deadly poison is part of a healer's job?"
"I'm sorry…" Hirion whispered and took his head in his hands.
"I'm just afraid… I hate myself for if it wasn't for my carelessness, Legolas wouldn't be in this condition at all. I can't face Thranduil and tell him that I've failed him. He put his only precious thing in my care… his son… and look what I did? I couldn't even do this single thing for him after everything he did for me!"
"There was no way you could have known the wine has been poisoned, Hirion. Stop blaming yourself." Said Ionwë as he turned around to look at Hirion. "And I'm sure the king would never blame you for that.
Hirion shook his head. "You don't know him…"
Ionwë was about to say something when the door burst open and Faelwen walked in. she was followed by Hérion and Arthion and right after them Amonost, Arandur and Tauriel walked in.
"What has happened to him?"
"Will he be fine?"
"Look at him he's as white as a sheet!"
"Sweet Eru…"
"Hush!" Faelwen silenced everyone and turned to Ionwë who nodded at her thankfully for stopping the flood of questions.
"How is he?" She asked briefly with a stern look on her face. Others looked at Ionwë in silence.
Ionwë hesitated for a couple of seconds before replying.
"He's been poisoned by Black Lilium." Faelwen, Arthion and Hérion paled visibly at hearing the name while the younger elves frowned in confusion.
"What is it?" Asked Amonost with a worried look in his eyes.
"It's a deadly ancient poison which was used by Avari." Ionwë explained.
"But he's going to be fine, right?" Asked Tauriel hopefully.
Ionwë bowed his head in silence not daring to break the young elf's hope. Hirion came to his aid.
"No Tauriel, he won't be fine unless we find the antidote." He said.
Landion sobbed involuntary at hearing that.
Tauriel's eyes widened in realization and tears started running down her face in a blink of an eye.
"There is no cure?" She whispered.
"We shouldn't lose our hope! Master Ionwë will find a cure, right?" Said Arandur as he locked eyes with Ionwë.
"I will try my best." Said the healer. The younger elves nodded as they all walked towards Legolas' bed to take a look at him while Faelwen, Arthion and Hérion stayed with Ionwë to discuss the situation.
"Are you sure there is no cure?" Asked Hérion.
"Yes my lord, I'm sure." Ionwë replied calmly.
"How did he get poisoned? And how did this poison get into the palace in the first place?! We have no Avari in Mirkwood." Said Arthion impatiently.
"He was poisoned by wine, though I do not have the answer to your second question."
"Has anyone told Thranduil?" Asked Faelwen.
Ionwë shook his head. "No one dares to tell him."
"Shouldn't we just keep it from him a little longer? Maybe master Ionwë can come up with a cure until then." Arthion suggested.
"I'm sorry my lord, but do not get your hopes high. I know I've promised to try my best on the antidote but remember that no one has survived The Black Lilium poison." Said Ionwë honestly. He knew what troubles the false hope might cause.
"He's right, we should tell Thranduil. If anything happens and he finds out that we hadn't told him, he would never forgive us." Said Hérion.
"Nothing is going to happen! Legolas is going to be fine!" Arthion growled.
"I'm just considering the possibilities."
"We will keep this down until tomorrow and if nothing changes in Legolas' condition then we will tell Thranduil and we'd better pray he doesn't find out until then." Said Faelwen before walking to Legolas' bed. Arthion and Hérion exchanged worried glances before following Faelwen. They all sat in silence for a couple of minutes. All eyes were on Legolas' bed as if they were waiting for a miracle to happen.
"How much time does he have?" Asked Hérion without looking away from Legolas.
"Two weeks or so I guess." Ionwë replied. He was busy searching in the numerous books he'd opened on his desk.
"We should inform the council." Said Faelwen briefly.
"Can you do that?" Asked Hérion with a grim expression on his face.
"That's my duty." Said Faelwen as she stood up from her seat and walked toward the door. "A council will be held in less than an hour, you'd better come with me." She said to Arthion and Hérion. They both nodded and stood up.
"Try your best master Ionwë. You're our only hope." Said Faelwen before walking out of the room with Hérion and Arthion.
Ionwë sighed and walked to Legolas' bed to examine him.
"You three should go now, I'm sure you want to tell your friends about Legolas." Said Ionwë without looking up.
"I do not have the heart to…" Tauriel tried to explain before tears started running down her cheeks again.
"Please do not lose your hope my lady." Said Landion as he was trying to look hopeful himself.
Tauriel shook her head. "It has no cure!"
"Calm down Tauriel, crying won't change anything." Said Arandur as he patted her shoulder kindly. He wasn't good at comforting others, girls in particular. 'Legolas is a professional though…' He thought to himself. When Tauriel didn't seem to heed his words he turned his pleading eyes to Amonost. The young elf rolled his light gray eyes and wrapped an arm around Tauriel's shoulders.
"Everything will be fine Tauriel, I know you're afraid of losing another one of your loved ones, but Legolas is strong. I'm sure he won't give up that easily and look!" He pointed toward Ionwë who was still busy examining Legolas. "Master Ionwë is trying so hard to help Legolas and we all know he's the best!" He added with a smile. Ionwë looked up and gave a thankful smile to Amonost.
"That's right, I will try my best and trust me, Legolas is too stubborn to die." He said with a broad smile.
Tauriel sniffed and smiled weakly. "You're right."
"Of course he's right! Now that's enough children, I'm sure you have things to attend to. Do not delay any longer here." Said Hirion. Amonost nodded and stood up.
"We'll come back this evening, save Legolas for us Master Ionwë. Come, Tauriel, Arandur."
When the three young elves left the room Ionwë called for his assistant who was busy making some kind of potion on the other side of the room.
"Iauron? Bring a clean night shirt for Legolas."
Iauron hurried back to Legolas' side with a thin and loose nightshirt and with the help of Landion they took the bloody shirt off and replaced it with the new one.
"While you're going to have the shirt washed, please give the king his potion. It's almost time." Ionwë instructed. Iauron grabbed a blue bottle and a cup before making for the king's bed.
When he was out of sight Hirion spoke.
"We have to find the source of this poison. If this was only used by Avari then maybe…" He started rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "As far as we know there are no Avari in Mirkwood but the forest is not under our control like it once used to be."
"You can never be sure, just because you hadn't seen Avari in Mirkwood it doesn't mean that they do not exist." Ionwë reasoned.
"My dear Ionwë I wish it was that easy. When you have to speak in front of the council you have to speak with proves." He then looked at Legolas. His eyes full of sorrow.
"Why would anyone do such a thing to Legolas…" he sighed.
"Prince Legolas is so kind and caring to everyone, how could they…" Landion whispered.
Ionwë shook his head as he started his research on the cure again. A couple of seconds passed in silence and then several things happened together.
The first thing they knew was Iauron, bursting into the view while panting heavily and trying to say something between his short breaths.
"The king… shirt… coming…" Ionwë frowned as he was trying to make out what the poor assistant was trying to say but he froze in his place when heard the icy cold voice of the king of the woodland realm.
"What has befallen my son?"
*End of chapter 11*
A/N: Some of you might not know about Avari so here's a short description for you from "Tolkien Gateway".
Avari (singular Avar) is a Quenya word meaning 'Refusers' or 'Recusants'. When Oromë found the Elves that awakened in Cuiviénen, he summoned them to come with him to Valinor. All the Minyar and most of the Tatyar were persuaded, along with some of the Nelyar, and followed Oromë into the west on the Great Journey.
The rest, who dwelt furthest from the waters of Cuiviénen, and wandered in the hills, had not seen Oromë at his first coming, and knew only vague scary rumors of the Valar; lies of Melkor concerning Oromë and Nahar perhaps had a role. So they remained suspicious, or simply refused to depart from their own lands, and spread gradually throughout the wide lands of Middle-earth. Their population was composed of half of the Tatyar and one third of the Nelyar, who maybe were called Lindai. According to a tradition their leaders were Morwë of the Tatyar and Nurwë of the Nelyar. They were after known by the name "the Unwilling", because they refused the summons.
According to the legends, Orcs may be descended by Avarin elves captured and corrupted by Melkor.
Initially the Avari stayed in Cuiviénen but many of them started to wander westwards. The Avari who finally went westwards, were mingled with the Nandor of the Vales of Anduin, Eriador and some reached Beleriand, mingling with the Laiquendi. But very few settled in Doriath. The Avari who came from the Tatyar were unfriendly and jealous to the Noldor, their exalted kin, and accused them for arrogance.
The Edain who traveled to the West met the Avari first of all the Elves, and were taught from them music and language, which influenced theirs. They probably taught them many of the basic crafts of civilization, though the craft of the Eldar surpassed that of the Avari even more than that of the Avari surpassed primitive Men.
Some Avari after the end of the First Age started to mingle with the scattered Nandor beyond the Misty Mountains and they became hardly distinguishable from them, afterwards known as Silvan Elves.
It is told that no Avari Elves were to be found west of the Misty Mountains during the late Third Age.