Disclaimer: Not mine.
Chapter Eleven
Elrond watched as Gilaen left the chapter. Slipping a finger underneath the plain seal he flipped it open. A lock of black hair fell into his hands. For one long second all he could do was look at what was in his hands before a gasp of shock left his lips.
"Elrond, what is it, Mellon-nin?" Thranduil looked up at the gasp.
Elrond could only hold out the braid that was in his hand. It was the braid of his house. There could be only one person that this could have come from, his son Elladan.
Thranduil's eyes widened at what his friend held out to them. Silence filled the room.
"Is there a message with it?" Mithrandir rose from his seat.
"I do not know." To be honest he had not really looked. Taking a deep breath he opened the missive fully. Deep dark, dried blood lay on the parchment and Elrond quickly checked the braid. It was stiff with dried blood.
Reading quickly he passed the letter to Thranduil before slumping in a chair.
Thranduil took the parchment with reticence. Taking a deep breath he read what was written down.
Elrond,
This is to prove that we mean business. If you wish to have your son back in one piece then leave Mirkwood.
You will get no other chance. For the sake of your son, leave Mirkwood and quickly.
If not you will be receiving more parts.
Polinias is Mirkwood's true King.
Thranduil sighed as he handed the parchment to Mithrandir, he opened his mouth to speak but he was stopped by Elrond.
"I will hear no word of us either leaving or you abdicating. I will not let them win this battle." Elrond voice was cold and sure. "They will live to regret the day that they took one of mine and targeted Legolas."
"You are right, Elrond this is a battle, one that I fully intend that we will win. Did you learn anything from your visit earlier?" Thranduil was once again all business.
"No, most of those we met know nothing and have lived within their villages for some time. Some we both know from our youth. They have promised to keep an eye and ear out for anything unusual. To make sure that they do not arouse suspicions they will report to Galion rather than any of us. Who ever these Elves are, they are well established. I think it is pure coincidence that the villages had to move back to the Palace."
Thranduil could not hide his surprise. "You think that they are members of my staff?"
"I really do not know, but we may have to work on that assumption. Trust only those who you would trust with your life." Elrond was serious as he said these words.
"You are right. Mealena, which members of your staff are absolutely loyal to me?"
His old friend stepped up to stand next to him. "There are three that I know of with absolute certainty."
"Good, I am placing you in charge of them. From this minute on only herbs that they have picked and readied will be used to treat Legolas with. Simnella the same goes for your cooks. I want to be absolutely sure that nothing that Legolas needs it tainted again." He watched as they nodded and left the chamber.
Thranduil turned to Elrond once more. "Do you think that my guards are compromised?" His voice was cold and hard.
"That I do not know. I think at present it would be better to assume so."
"I agree. We will keep the guards on the doors. Inside this chamber we will guard Legolas. If you have need to leave then we go in two's and are on our guard."
"That is all good and well, Thranduil but have you really read what this says?" Mithrandir spoke up.
"What do you mean?" The King was puzzled at the Maia's words.
"Read it again and tell me what you see?" Mithrandir handed the parchment back to Thranduil.
Thranduil accepted it and with one puzzled look he re-read the letter. It was the last line that this time seemed to leap from the parchment.
Polinias is Mirkwood's true King.
He had to read it a third time, he raised stunned pale eyes to his friends. "But Polinias died, he took his own life. How if he is dead can he be King?"
"That is not clear." Mithrandir walked over to the small occasional table that sat next to the fire. Picking up the other letters he read them once more. "There has always been something about these letters that puzzled me; I have been unable to see what."
"What are you trying to say, Mithrandir?" Even Elrond seemed puzzled.
"Here in this first missive, it says 'You may not remember the leader of our group, but we more than remember you.' That implies that you know the leader, also this second missive. We are being watched. The fact that they knew the Estel was not in the kitchen before the attack took place tells us this. Did you see the body, Thranduil?" Mithrandir bright, sharp eyes turned to the tall Elf in front of him.
"Polinias?" At the wizards nod he continued. "From a distance. The family would not let us close to him. His wife was hysterical, blaming me for her husband's actions. We left them to deal with the body."
"Hmmm, I see. So it could easily have been staged?" Mithrandir was stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"Thinking back on it, yes it may well have been staged. At the time I did not think of that, I felt great sorrow that one who had been so noble and loyal could be reduced to that." Sorrowful eyes met the Maia's.
"I can understand that, Mellon-nin." The Maia rested an aged hand on the King's shoulder.
With a weary nod, Thranduil slumped into a chair, everything finally catching up with him. The race to Rivendell in fear that his precious son would die before he got to him, then the fear over Legolas' head injury, now this.
"He may not be dead? Polinias may still be alive?" His voice sounded as shocked and stunned as he looked. "But why wait all this time until emerging? Why?"
"He may have tried to take advantage of your being out of Mirkwood for so long. We need to look at all your staff and guards; they must have been waiting and watching for some time. For them to be able to infiltrate this far…" Elrond was thinking fast.
"Ada, you need to take a look at Legolas." Elrohir's voice was full of worry and the others turned quickly towards the bed.
They had not noticed that the younger twin had moved and was perched as close to the Prince as he could possibly get.
"What is wrong?" Elrond and Thranduil were there next to him within a blink of an eye.
"He is feverish." There was trepidation in the young Elves voice, he remembered all too clearly what had happened the last time Legolas had a fever.
From the deep worried frowns on the others faces, they remembered clearly too.
"Let me see." A pale cool hand reached out to touch the pallid forehead. "Yes, his temperature is very high. We need to get it down. Glorfindel."
"I am on to it." Nothing more needed to be said, at least not to him.
Thranduil was a different matter. "You said not to use any herbs that had not been picked by Mealena's trusted healers."
"I know I did, but Legolas cannot wait for them, we will have to take a chance." Elrond's voice was urgent as he spoke.
"What is causing this?" Thranduil's worry was palpable.
"It must be from his arm, the infection must be great. Estel, we need some warm water, can you fetch us some?"
"You are going to sponge him down?" Estel was already moving towards the door that led to the bathing chamber.
"Yes, it will help until the herbs work. Glorfindel can you add some of the medicinal vitamins to the tea? We may as well take this opportunity to get some into him."
A delicate grunt was the only reply he got as Glorfindel hurriedly prepared the herbs.
By the time he was finished and the tea ready, Elrond was already sponging the Prince down Thranduil doing all he could to help.
Estel had helped Elrohir to move so that the others could help Legolas and have greater access to him. They watched with worry as their father and his friend helped give Legolas the tea. Thranduil holding him tenderly. Estel actually jumped when a hand fell onto his shoulder and he looked up to find a grim faced Mithrandir gazing down at him. It did not help his fears only increased them.
They watched as again and again Legolas was wiped down with the warm water as they waited for the medication to work. Finally Elrond sat back with a tired sigh, while the fever had lowered it had not cleared completely, something told him it would not until they found out what really was going on with the younger Elf.
"Elrond?" Thranduil's voice was quiet.
"His fever is acceptable for the moment. We will need to monitor it frequently. We cannot take the risk of it rising to an unacceptable level."
"He will be alright?" They watched as Thranduil gently stroked his son golden hair with a tenderness that was awe inspiring to watch.
"Eventually, yes. He needs rest and warmth." Even during his highest fever point Legolas had been shivering as if freezing and Elrond knew it was nothing to do with the fever but a continuation from what ever was ailing the younger Elf.
"We need more wood and kindling." Thranduil's voice was distant as he watched his son sleep.
Elrond's heart was heavy as he watched his old friend. How could he tell him that he had no real idea what was happening with Legolas, no idea if this was poison or a continuation of the head injury the Prince had suffered?
Thranduil had not come straight out and asked if Legolas would survive this, for that he was glad because at this point he really did not know the answer to that, as much as that hurt to admit.
"I will arrange that." Estel's voice was soft. He crossed the chamber and spoke with the guard that stood outside.
"Estel, what is wrong?" Mealena came up beside to him a worried frown creasing his forehead.
"Legolas has a fever, Ada is worried." The young Human could read his Elven foster father clearly.
"Let us go and see him." The healer gently led the young man back into the chamber.
"Lord Elrond, I have freshly picked herbs. I picked them myself so that I know they are untainted. Estel tells me that Legolas is feverish?" Thranduil did not seem to notice as the two healers went into a huddle away from him.
Glorfindel stayed by the King, trying to offer what comfort and support that he could.
"Yes, we have brought it down but it is still present." Elrond was watching his patient as he spoke.
"Estel said that you were worried." Mealena watched as a small frown passed over the other Elf's face.
"Yes, I should have realised that my sons would pick up upon it. Something worries me here. I fear that we could loose the Prince to this if we do not find out what is causing this soon." He watched the other Elf closely to gauge his reaction.
Mealena could not hide his shock, he had known that Legolas was very ill and getting worse, but for Elrond to speak so freely of Legolas dieing.
"We must prevent that; Mirkwood would never survive loosing her Prince, what ever Polinias' supporters say."
"Maybe that is what should happen." Mithrandir's voice was calm and he awaited the outcry that he was sure would come.
It did.
"What? You would kill Legolas?!" Elrond was for once shocked.
"No, I did not say that. Legolas is being targeted so it would seem, we all agree on that?" Every head nodded. "The one thing they want is for Thranduil to give up his Kingdom to save Legolas."
"Yes, that is what they have said." Thranduil's voice throbbed with anger.
"Then what would happen if Legolas were to 'die' of his injuries? The entire Palace is aware of how ill he is it would come as no great shock. It would also take Legolas out of their range."
"That may win us some time. How would we go about it? I want no further harm to come to Legolas." Thranduil sounded calmer as he listened to Mithrandir speak.
"We would have to stage it very carefully. Obviously for him to suddenly die quickly would work against us. The assailants may find that a little convenient. No, I would suggest that we wait for a day or so but have you putting out bulletins regarding Legolas' state of health. They can be steadily worse as the day goes by. Mealena we will need your three trusted healers brought in to add to the growing drama."
"They would be pleased to help. Then what, if, I can help in any way I will." There was a fierce light in his eyes as he looked upon his dear friend and Godson.
"Legolas will need to be moved once he has 'died'. Is there somewhere safe for him to be cared for?" Mithrandir turned back to Thranduil.
"Yes, when there is a death in the Royal family, they are taken to the halls of preparation; here it is attached to the halls of healing. Once he has been 'viewed' he can then be moved again. It can be done easily. But how will you make my son look as if he has died?" There was a hint of uncertainty in the King's voice.
"I can be of help there." Elrond spoke up. "We have an herb that we can use to lower his pulse and breathing. Legolas looks so ill that it would not take much to deepen that. The only problem would be that he will feel the elements even more. His recovery once he is moved will be very uncomfortable."
"Do we have any choice?" Thranduil's voice sounded defeated. He hated doing this to his son, but as Mithrandir said it would be one way of making sure that Legolas was away from harm.
"I think not." Glorfindel spoke for the first time. "What about Elladan?"
"We have not forgotten about him. Elrohir how is your bond?" Mithrandir asked the quiet twin.
"Still strong. I have felt a few slithers of fear from him, but I have been pouring reassurance to him." Indeed the young twin looked wan and tired.
Elrond moved to his side. "You must rest, you cannot keep this up." One look into the haunted eyes of his son told him enough. "Your head is bad?"
He received a small nod. "You have been giving Elladan too much. You will have a tea to help and sleep. If Elladan needs any help I will provide it. I will have no argument." This as Elrohir opened his mouth to protest.
Estel had already moved to the herb table and was preparing the herbs. No one noticed as they continued to discuss their plan that he did not use the new herbs, but continued to use the old in his own tiredness.
"I would like to warn Galion. It is only fair; he would be the only one other than those that we have mentioned." Thranduil was back with Legolas, hating to be far from him, especially with what they were planning.
"I agree. We need you to…" Mithrandir broke off as a knock sounded at the door. At a nod from Thranduil they all relaxed back. Elrond was talking in a huddle with Mithrandir and Mealena. Thranduil stayed where he was, Glorfindel moving beside him a look of worry in place as he affected the pose that they would all soon be taking.
As Thranduil called for the newcomer to enter, Estel moved to Elrohir's side with the tea. Elrohir, meanwhile tried to make himself look as ill as he could.
It was a servant with the wood and kindling, with her was Gilaen. Both froze when they saw the look on their King's face.
"Sire, the Prince?" Telinia made his voice sound worried.
Thranduil looked up and Elrond's heart dropped, his friend looked old and weary, more so than he had ever seen him before.
"Legolas is very ill, Gilaen. Please pray for his recovery." Thranduil's voice actually caught.
"I will, Sire. How may I help?" The young guard had to fight to stop the elation from showing.
"It is in the hands of the God's and the Valar I am afraid. There is little more we can do." Thranduil watched as the young Elleth stocked the wood for the fire. When she looked up she had tears running down her face.
As she made her way back over to the door she stopped by her King. She gave a low bow and spoke very hesitantly. "My liege, I will pray for you and the Prince. If I could change places with him, I would happily. Prince Legolas is very dear to us all." More tears fell as she spoke.
Thranduil had to clear his throat and his eyes were shiny as he spoke to her. "Thank you, that means much to me. We can only hope that the Valar will answer our prayers."
She gave another low bow and left the chamber with the guard, as the chamber door closed, Thranduil called out. "Gilaen would you please ask Galion to come to me?"
"Of course, Sire." The door closed behind them and they all gave a small sigh of relief. Glorfindel turned to Thranduil.
"You handled that well."
"My emotions were true, they reflected my fears." He had to look away from the Balrog Slayer embarrassed that his emotions were so easily read.
"It is what we all feel, Mellon-nin do not be embarrassed to show it." He looked up as the sound of hurried feet moved towards the chamber. There was a quick knock and Galion called out to ask for entrance.
"My Liege, Gilaen said that you needed to speak with me and that the Prince's condition had worsened." His trusted butler looked worriedly at the young Elf in the King's arms.
Thranduil quickly put him at his ease and explained the plan that they had come up with. Within the hour, they had come up with a viable bulletin that Thranduil would be giving to the council later that day.
It was arranged that Thranduil would pass a note to the guard at the door asking for Galion to bring the council together. As he left with a sombre Mealena they were unaware of being watched by eager eyes.
Legolas still had not woken and Elrohir had been tucked into one of the temporary beds next to him, when Thranduil left to give his announcement. With one last, worried look at his son he hurried from the room.
There was an uneasy silence as he made his way down to the throne room. All the Elves that worked in the Palace lined the corridors, sombre expressions in place. As he passed they gave deep bows.
As the large golden doors were opened by the Herald's, Thranduil was aware that silence filled the chamber and a sense of deep despair seemed to permeate the air.
As he entered they all bowed deeply. As he took his seat on his throne he spoke, his voice was melodic and melancholy. "You may sit."
He was aware that they exchanged shocked glances; it was unusual for them to be asked to sit when in emergency session. Unease rippled through the room.
"Thank you for coming together so promptly. As you know Prince Legolas was severely injured recently during an attack. His injuries were very grave. We had hoped that our returning to Mirkwood would aid in his healing. That unfortunately has not happened."
No one in the chamber made a sound, but every single Elf looked shocked.
"In fact the opposite has happened. It pains me to tell you this but it may be that Legolas will never recover." This time there was shocked muttering. "We may have to accept that my son may well join his Naneth. I will obviously keep you all informed as to his progress. I would also ask that you please bear with me during this difficult time. Obviously, Legolas needs me to be with him." With that Thranduil stood and the room stood with him. As he left the chamber he could hear the noise level rise.
He did not wait he fled back to Legolas' chamber.
Telinia watched as Thranduil fled the chamber despair hanging over him like a cloud. This was just too good to be true. The additions seemed to have worked.
He turned and left the Palace. Quickly he left the main area of habitat and slid into the forest. Deeper he went, winding his way through the trees so that if he were to be followed he would loose them. He moved deeper into the trees, carefully avoiding the areas that the spiders congregated in.
Soon he was near to where the hidden cave was. He had found it when he was out on patrol and he and his father had decided that it was perfect for the use it was getting now.
He entered and as his eyes adjusted to the gloom he caught sight of his captive. Elladan glowered at him. It would have been threatening if he had not been tied up and gagged.
His smile widened as he moved nearer to the other Elf. He quickly removed the gag.
"I did not mean to return until the morrow, but I thought you might like to hear the news that is currently flooding Mirkwood."
"Nothing you can tell me is of interest to me." Elladan tried to spit out, but it only emerged as a croak, he was so dry.
"So you do not wish to know how out beloved Prince is?" Telinia's voice was snide.
"Legolas? What have you done to him?"
"I? What makes you think that I have done anything to him?" He laughed at the glare he received. "Very well, you are right. But it is not just me. The herbs that the Prince has been taking have had a little extra added to them. With every dose his body becomes weaker. If he could speak he would make no sense what so ever."
"What do you mean if he could speak?"
"Oh, I did not tell you, did I? He is dieing, the King has told the council that he will in all likelihood never recover." He laughed at the horrified look on Elladan's face.
"No, you lie."
"Oh, no I do not. I have seen him for myself and I can tell you he will not linger much longer in Middle Earth."
"How long have you been adding to the herbs?"
"Since before we left Rivendell. One of my men has had access to him. You would have no idea how easy it has been to get to him. Even on the trip back, you are amateurs, believe me."
"You will never get away with this, I promise you that I will find you and you will pay." Elladan's voice was deadly.
"I am scared, Elfling very scared." He moved closer and holding up the gag he smiled. "Open up and I will get back to the palace. As soon as I have news for you, I will tell you. I will be back tomorrow to gather another surprise for your dear Adar." Elladan did not have a choice; he knew what this Elf would and could do if he tried to hold off. Within minutes he was gagged and Telinia's patted his head as if he was a dog.
"Good, Little Elfling I am glad that we understand another. I will bring you some food when I come next. Sleep well."
Elladan could only watch him leave a feeling of deep despair filling him as he thought of Legolas.
Elrond was preparing the fresh herbs keeping a close eye on Legolas as the others rested. He was too full of tension to even remain in one place.
The knife was sharp and sliced easily through the herbs as he made quick work of the roots. He could not stop the knife as it slipped as a feeling of deep, black despair filled him. He could not stop the groan that left his lips; it grew as the knife sliced through his hand….
To be continued
Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers and friends who have been so kind over the last few difficult weeks. Just to update you all on what has been happening. This lady that caused the stir with Nick's 'kidnap' turned out to be the same one who called to tell me that Nick has been having an affair and cheating on me. To say both of us were shocked was an understatement! Nick could not even remember meeting with her let alone working with her!! His employers looked into it as we made an official complaint against her, and it turns out that this is the third time she has done this and was on an official final dismissal warning. Silly Girl got herself sacked over all this.
The good news is that Nick is coming home next week for some down time and we hope to be able to go away for a few days. We both need it. I cannot thank you all for your incredible support.
Replies to reviews:
Crystalcave: Thank you, I am glad you continue to like this story.
Barbara Kennedy: Thank you for pointing out the errors and yes, I would like to know about them, it is the only way to improve. Once more I can say nothing to some of the points that you have raised. All I will say is that yes some of your ideas are right. But there is something more going on that most people have not picked up upon.
Moonyasha: Psycho rabid fan girl mode? That sounds very, very bad. She wants Legolas? NO!!!!!! I will keep my eye out for her.
InterstellarHobbit: Sorry, yes a cliffie. Thank you for the name of the Dwarf who can supply the boots, they will be very, very useful!! RL is now absolutely wonderful!
PopcornandGreenery: thank you, here is more.
IcyPanther: Thank you! Oh that would be telling you will have to wait and see how and why Legolas knew about the poison.
Laer4572: Did you know something before we did? Please see the note after the reviews?
Elven Fantasy: I'm sorry it just happened that way. A quiet dorm room is so boring, I know. Hope that this helps.
Shadowfaxgal: Thank you. Yes, poor Legolas and more to come too as for Elladan well…. I am saying nothing.
DeepBlueSomething: Yep, poor Elrond has yet to know what the meaning of stress is. Sorry about the cliffies.
Please continue to let me know what you think it is the only way I can grow and improve.
Now to my really momentous news. If I do not tell you I think that Katy will kill me. I have this week, yesterday in fact, learnt that my first proper manuscript has been accepted by a publisher here in England. I am a little stunned as this was the first one that I sent it to. They want to see all my other works as well. To say I feel as if I am in seventh heaven would be an understatement. Please have no fear, this story and more will continue. These are my roots and nothing will stop me from posting for you.
Until next time. Take care,
Love,
Shell