20. chapter: Cure?
Anglond ran through the corridors of the palace. He hoped he was not too late. His heart was pounding like mad, and he felt his hands shake. He ran past the royal guards outside the royal wing, and did not even bother to knock before he burst into the livingroom of his captain. He stopped dead in his tracks, it was deadly silent in the room, only a few candles were lit, the moon shone pale from outside, bathing the empty livingroom in it faint light.
The door to the bedroom opened, and he saw Jalen walked out, looking straight at Anglond.
"Did you find it?" he asked urgent.
"Yes" Anglond said, handing the healer the small bag containing the roots, "please say we are not too late" he begged.
"Hopefully not yet" Belenor said as he emerged from the bedroom too, looking at the contents of the bag Jalen had in his hands, "we better hurry".
As he past Anglond he turned, "we are keeping him sedated" he told, "that was the only way to keep him from pain, Rozarko and Thranduil are with him".
Anglond nodded before he slowly walked into the bedroom. Legolas was lying on his side in the bed, only a soft blanket covered him, he looked fragile and very pale, even his hair did not shine as it used to. He was breathing slowly, too slowly for his liking.
Rozarko sat at the edge of the bed, wiping a cool cloth over Legolas' face. He placed the cloth in the bowel at the nightstand and took another to wipe some blood from Legolas' ear and nose, like it was nothing.
Thranduil sat in the chair next to the bed, the king looked exhausted and worried, but nevertheless looked up when he entered the bedroom.
"We have the roots" Anglond told quietly, "Belenor and Jalen have gone to make the cure".
Thranduil breathed deeply, "let's hope they make it in time" he whispered, looking back at his son.
Anglond took one of the other chairs in the room and pulled it closer to the bed before seating himself in it. Soon Girion entered the bedroom too, not saying anything. He walked over and placed his hand on Rozarko's shoulder, and Rozarko placed his down hand on top of his, and rested his chin on them, breathing deeply.
"They will make it in time" Girion said with a strong voice, looking from Rozarko to his king, "they have to".
o0o
Now Belenor found himself running through the corridors of the palace, elves jumping out of his way. All eyes looked expectant up at him when he opened the door to Legolas bedroom.
"We have the cure" he announced and placed his bag on the table near the windows. He opened it and took out a small viral, "Rozarko will you help me?" he asked as he walked to the bed.
The minder nodded and turned Legolas over to his back, and lifted his head a little. Belenor took a gently hold on his chin, and forced Legolas' mouth open. Slowly he poured the content of the viral into it, and massaged his throat to provoke the swallow reflex.
Please, don't throw it up he kept thinking to himself as he observed the prince for a few minutes. There was no reaction from Legolas. Belenor breathed deeply and was just about to turn around when Legolas started to tremble.
"No" he breathed as he just managed to rush the bowel under his mouth, and Legolas threw up the viral he had just given him, along with more fresh blood.
Belenor walked into the bathroom to clean the bowel and return.
"What now?" Lucien asked quietly from his seat next to his father.
"He will properly throw it up if I give him more" Belenor told.
"Can you give it to him directly into his veins?" Rozarko asked.
Belenor looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I am not sure" he admitted, "it has not been tried before".
"He will die anyway if you do not try" Thranduil stated, "you have my permission to try".
Belenor nodded and gave Jalen the order to go back to the infirmary at receive the right equipment.
Legolas moved his head to the side, his breathing increasing slightly, Rozarko's attention was diverted straight back to his charge, running his fingers gently over Legolas' cheek.
"Legolas" he called softly.
"Mmh" Legolas moan a bit irritated.
"It's all right" Rozarko soothed, "we need you to fight now, all right?" Rozarko urged.
"What do you think I'm doing?" Legolas snapped, slowly opening his eyes and meeting those green ones of Rozarko.
"Cranky?" Rozarko asked softly.
Legolas just breathed tiredly.
"We have the cure, Legolas" Belenor told and earning the attention of the prince, "we actually just gave it to you, but you threw it up almost right away".
"So now you will poke me with a needle" Legolas stated.
Belenor looked taken aback for a moment, before he gathered himself.
"You heard" he stated.
"I did" Legolas said as he turned his head to the side and tried to suppress a cough.
"Here" Rozarko said as he held a towel before Legolas' mouth and Legolas allowed himself to cough, while Rozarko wiped the blood which followed away with the towel. Lucien looked on with frightened eyes. Girion took the towel and got rid of it.
Legolas was breathing heavily when Jalen returned with the equipment, and the two healers worked fast to prepare the syringe and needle.
Belenor took hold of Legolas' left arm and pulled the sleeve up, he washed the arm where he prepared to poke the needle into the vein. Legolas looked down and was stunned as he did not feel when Belenor touched him, nor did he feel when Belenor led the needle into his skin, and with skilled hands found a vein, and pressed the viral inside him. After, Belenor handed the syringe to Jalen, and looked intently at Legolas, awaiting his reaction.
"Feel anything yet?" he asked.
"Should I?" Legolas asked back, getting more tired as the pain intensified.
"Well" Belenor said a bit uncertain.
Legolas face grimaced as pain started to shoot through him, and he started to get trouble breathing.
"Legolas" Belenor called urgent. He rose and got new towels from the table next to the bed, just in time as blood almost spluttered out of Legolas' mouth, his whole body shaking from the strain.
"Rozarko, help me turn him over" Belenor said urgent as he took hold of Legolas' shoulders. Rozarko took hold of the hips and turned Legolas over to his side, so the blood could flow more freely out of his mouth. Legolas struggled to breathe even though the blood had stopped flowing. Rozarko gently stroked his back, trying to give him comfort.
Legolas soon struggled so much to breathe that he felt like he was being suffocated, and panic started to settle inside him. Belenor ran to the fire where water already was boiling, poured some into a bowel and crushed some herbs into the water. He placed the bottle before Legolas' face, and waved the steam into his face. This seemed to help, and Legolas soon started to breathe more freely, and relaxed. He felt exhausted into the pillows underneath him.
"I thought the cure would help him" Lucien whispered scared, holding onto his father's hand.
"It will take a little while before we know if the cure helped" Belenor explained, looking a bit worried down at Legolas, but the prince breathed easy now. "And it has never been given directly into the blood before" Belenor continued, "I do not know how it will work, or how long it will take… I do not even know if we made it in time" he added sorrowful, "all we can do for now is wait and see".
Lucien nodded, wiping the tears away from his face. Hating himself for being so emotional, Thranduil pulled sin son into a hug.
"Do not feel shame for being emotional" he whispered while stroking Lucien's back, "it makes you who you are".
Lucien nodded and tried to give his father a reassuring smile.
"Beside" Thranduil added while cupping his son's cheeks, "I love you just as you are".
"I do too" Legolas breathed quietly.
Lucien whipped his head around, "Legolas!" he exclaimed and ran to his brother, taking his hand, "do you feel better?" he asked urgent.
"I can breathe" Legolas said a bit sarcastically.
"But do you feel any better at all?" Lucien pressed.
Legolas was silent for a while, just looking at his brother, until he slowly shook his head.
"No" he whispered, "not really".
Belenor came into his field of vision.
"Can you move at all, Legolas?" the healer asked.
Legolas tried, but only his head and shoulders moved. Belenor nodded sadly, "it's all right" he tried to soothe.
"Are you in pain?" Lucien asked.
"Some" Legolas whispered, taking a shuddering breath and trying to get into a better position, but not really able to.
"I could try and make something for the pains" Belenor suggested, "but I am not sure if you will be able to keep it down".
"I can manage for now" Legolas said, grimacing.
"Are you sure?" Rozarko asked, knowing Legolas was in more pain than admitting.
Belenor sighed, but nevertheless walked to the fireplace and prepared a pain reducing tea.
"How is his temperature?" Belenor asked.
Rozarko slowly extended his hand, seeing how Legolas warily watched his hand. With a small nod from Legolas, Rozarko placed the hand on his forehead.
"The fever had gone down a little" he said.
Belenor nodded, and added a little fever reducing herbs in the tea as well. He handed the cup to Rozarko, who helped Legolas drink it. All waiting in silence to see if Legolas was able to keep it down, and just when they thought he would, Legolas asked for the bucket, and Rozarko supported him while he threw the tea up again. Belenor sighed, not knowing what to do next.
Legolas breathed heavily as Rozarko wiped the blood away from his mouth. Again, he had thrown up blood as well, and felt how he seemed to get weaker and in more pain every time he did so. And this time, the pain intensified greatly, he felt dizzy, and the sounds seemed to come from a long distance.
Pain shot through him like knifes, and he could barely take it anymore, sweat started to roll down his face. If he could have, he would properly have writhed in pain. He pressed his face down in the pillow, gasping for breath as the pain intensified even more.
Belenor knew the prince was in unbearable pain, and made ready to sedate him again. He hated doing it, but it was the only way he knew how to keep him from the pain he clearly was in.
"Legolas" Belenor said as he sat next to him, holding the cloth and small viral.
Legolas looked up at him, knowing what he asked permission to do. Legolas really did not want to be sedated, but the pain was too much now, and he just wanted to scream in pain. With a sigh, Legolas nodded.
"I know you do not want to be sedated" Belenor told him as he wetted the cloth, "but I really do not know how else to keep you from pain".
"We will watch over you" Rozarko promised, earning a small smile of gratitude from Legolas.
Belenor placed the cloth over Legolas' mouth and nose, and slowly Legolas closed his eyes, and his breathing eased as he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
o0o
Belenor walked into the king's office, in bis hand he had a letter from the lord of Imladris. As for Legolas, his fever had almost broken over the night, but he was still in great pain, and Belenor had had to keep him sedated the whole night. Belstram, the king's personal guard, opened the door for Belenor. Thranduil looked up the moment the healer walked into the office.
"I have a letter from Lord Elrond" he told and handed the letter to the king, "he is coming as quickly as he can".
"but that is still almost a week" Thranduil stated.
"I know" Belenor sighed, running his hands through his hair, "and Legolas is not getting better. He should by now start to feel something if the cure worked".
Thranduil breathed deeply as he opened the letter, Belenor seated himself tiredly in the chair before the desk. Thranduil scanned the letter, a worried expression between his brows.
"He doesn't have much experience with the poison either" Thranduil stated stunned.
"It is a poison mostly used on this side of the mountains" Belenor explained, "since the plants used for it only grow on this side".
Thranduil nodded and continued reading the letter, when done, he placed it on his desk.
"Some he knows, of the cure that is" Thranduil said.
"Yes" Belenor said, "and that is why I am concerned that Legolas is not getting any better. Elrond writes that given the cure, the Legolas should feel the effects of it after a few hours, and that is if he drinks it. He was given the cure directly into his blood system, it should work much faster".
"What if you give him a new dose?" Thranduil asked, "will he be able to drink that now?".
"I already tried half an hour ago" Belenor told, "he threw that up as well. I gave a small dose into a vein though".
Thranduil nodded.
o0o
The sun was shining outside, casting is light through the windows and into the bedroom. Legolas slowly opened his eyes, and the first he saw was Rozarko sleeping next to him. He sat on the floor, his head resting on the bed right next to his. He could smell his hair, so close was he. It smelled like a pine forest after rain. He breathed deeply few times, the smell making him feel safe and comfortable.
Rozarko slowly stirred. Someone was playing with his hair, he shook his head annoyed, but the playing did not stop. He turned his face and met the icy blue eyes of Legolas.
"You're awake" Rozarko mumbled, shaking his head as the playing with his hair tickled, "stop playing with my hair!" he exclaimed.
"Are you sure you want me to stop?" Legolas grinned.
Rozarko froze as he was about to get up, and looked stunned down at Legolas.
"You played with my hair!" he exclaimed again, "you can move your hands!".
"I can" Legolas grinned.
"Are you in pain anywhere?" Rozarko asked urgent.
"A little" Legolas said honestly, "but not nearly as much as… yesterday?".
"Yes, it was yesterday you got the first dose of the cure" Rozarko reassured him, cupping his cheeks and resting his forehead against Legolas'.
"You are better" he whispered, "thank the Valar, you're better".
"I am" Legolas assured him.
Rozarko pressed a kiss upon his forehead, "I'll send for a healer" he whispered.
Soon Belenor entered the bedroom followed by Jalen, both healers looked relieved.
"Great news I hear" Belenor said relieved.
"Indeed" Legolas smiled, "or half great" he added, "the legs are still paralyzed".
Belenor removed the blanket, and started examine the legs. But Legolas was still paralyzed from the waist and down. He did not even feel as Belenor gently poked him with a sharp needle.
Meanwhile, Jalen had prepared a cup of tea, with a small dose of the cure in as well as pain reducing herbs. Even though Legolas was better, he still felt pain with every intake and exhale of breath, every time he moved just a little, and his head was pounding. Jalen handed him the mug, and Legolas carefully sipped it. He stopped though, when he felt the other's eyes staring at him.
"Stop staring at me" Legolas commanded, "I can perfectly well tell you if I will need a bucket".
Both healers settled into the chairs by the windows, talking quietly, and Rozarko settled himself down in the bed next to Legolas, who just smiled to him as he took another sip of the tea.
Rozarko started to dose off, barely registering as Jalen took the cup from Legolas, and he too settled further down and started to dose.
o0o
Next Legolas awoke, it was past midday. Something was tickling his nose. He snorted, but it did not stop. He moved his head a little, and the familiar scent of pain and rain hit him again. He opened his eyes, and looked straight into the back of Rozarko's head. He realized he was holding one arm around him, relaxing his body against his. Legolas relaxed for as long as he could, enjoying this peaceful moment where he was alone, no one was watching him like haws. He felt relaxed, warm and safe.
After a short while though, Rozarko started to stir, Legolas kept still, not wanting to disturb the peace. Rozarko quickly felt the arm around him, and placed his hand on top of Legolas' while turning around slowly, meeting Legolas' eyes.
"Sorry" he whispered, "I fell asleep".
"We both did" Legolas said quietly.
Rozarko stroke Legolas' cheek, "how do you feel?" he asked.
"Fine" Legolas said, earning a scowl from Rozarko, Legolas sighed, "a small headache, and still no use of my legs".
Rozarko moved to get up, but Legolas pressed him down to the bed again, "please" he asked, "do not get up yet".
Rozarko grinned and settle back down beside Legolas, pulling the prince close to him. Legolas closed his eyes and breathed deeply.
"Does it still hurt when you breathe?" Rozarko asked.
"Only when I breathe deeply" Legolas told, closing his eyes and feel as he relaxed completely, feeling warm and comfortable.
Rozarko just held his charge close to him, feeling as the prince relaxed and started to dose of again. He was surprised when he suddenly felt a hand on his cheek, and found that Legolas was looking at him.
"Please know that I am grateful for all that you do for me" Legolas said sincere.
"I know" Rozarko assured smiling, stroking Legolas' cheek.
Legolas closed his eyes again, relaxing in the arms of Rozarko.
Rozarko stayed for as long as Legolas needed him to, every time he tried to get up, Legolas tensed and almost pulled him back down. Rozarko chuckled and settled down again, having nothing against laying next to Legolas. He stayed like that for a few hours, until it started getting dark outside, and Legolas started to stir again.
Blue eyes fluttered open, only to close again and snuggle deeper into the covers.
"Don't want to wake up?" he heard Rozarko's teasing voice.
"No" came the muffled voice of Legolas.
"Not even for us?" Anglond asked.
Legolas smiled under the covers.
"And who's us?" he asked.
"You do not even have to ask" Anglond teased, "you already know".
"Then the answer is no" Legolas stated.
Chuckles was heard around the bedroom, and the cover was lifted, and Rozarko peered down at him.
"You need to drink some water" he stated gently, "you are on the tip to dehydration".
Legolas allowed Rozarko to help him sit against the headboard of the bed. His entire team was gathered around his bed.
"Lord Elrond is on his way" Rozarko told as he poured a glass of water.
"Because of this?" Legolas asked, gesturing his hand absentmindedly over his legs.
"Yes".
Legolas sipped at the water.
"And what are all off you doing here?" he asked when half the glass was empty.
"Making sure you were all right" Anglond told.
"And are you satisfied?".
"Not until you walk out of this room by yourself" Anglond stated.
Legolas placed the glass on the nightstand, turning his attention to Anglond, he breathed deeply, not really knowing what to say.
The door opened and Belenor entered, closely followed by Jalen.
"You're awake, good" Belenor said as he walked to the table near the windows where he by now, had s rather large stock of herbs.
"Lord Elrond will be here in three days" Belenor told.
"I know" Legolas replied.
Belenor turned around and looked at him, his expression softened. Then he eyed the half empty glass of water on the nightstand.
"You should finish that" he almost ordered.
Legolas looked tiredly at the healer, but nevertheless took the glass and finished the water.
"And maybe you should get some sleep" Legolas suggested, or, it was not really a suggested, but an order.
"I need to take care of you" Belenor reasoned.
"I am not going anywhere" Legolas said tiredly, "and I am sure someone will send for you if needed. And if I need something for pain, nausea, trouble breathing, stop bleeding, or to sleep on, I am sure someone else can do that. Does that cover it?".
Belenor could not help but smile, but still hesitated.
"Go" Legolas ordered, still gently though, "sleep. I have no use of you if you fall over anyway" he teased.
"All right" Belenor grinned, "I will go" he said, but before he closed the door behind him, he turned to Mirthral, knowing he was a trained healer himself, "will you take care of him?".
"You do not have to ask" Mirthral assured of ushered the royal healer out of the bedroom.
"So" Mirthral said as he turned around, using his lets-get-down-to-business voice, "when was the last time you ate something?".
"Ehm" Legolas looked stunned at Mirthral, he did not really feel like eating, and Mirthral saw it right away, "at least some soup or broth" he pressed.
Legolas sighed, knowing his body needed it, and nodded. Cyan left the room in search of food. Legolas looked tiredly out of the windows, he was glad his friends was around him, but he still felt exhausted, and was so close to dose off he did not even register as Cyan reentered with a small bowel of broth. He placed it on the nightstand, and carefully placed his hand on Legolas shoulder. Legolas immediately flinched away from the touch. Cyan removed his hand as if burned, Legolas looked chocked at the cobber blond elf.
"Sorry" Legolas whispered.
"No" Cyan said sincere, "you do not need to apologize" he assured, and handed Legolas the small bowel of broth. Legolas took it, and slowly sipped at it. He soon felt as warm spread inside him from the quite tasty broth.
He did his best to eat as much he could, but a third of it was still left. Cyan took it without a word, knowing Legolas had tried his best to eat as much of it he could. The rest of the team had settled down on the floor around the bed, talking quietly together, just given their captain some company, and letting him know they were there.
Legolas settled back on the pillows behind him, trying to get into a comfortable position, but not really able to, Rozarko saw his struggle, and moved closer.
"Let me help you" he offered quietly, removing the blanket when he saw the silent permission Legolas gave. He took hold of his hips, and twisted them a little so he was lying straight, placing pillow under his knees. Rozarko looked back up at Legolas, meeting his eyes.
"Better?" he whispered, Legolas nodded and placed his hand on top of his when he had placed the blanket over him again, "thank you" Legolas whispered. Rozarko just smiled as he saw Legolas eyes dropped close, and settle down at the edge of the bed.
Legolas breathed deeply, winching slightly as pain shot through him. Cyan looked worried to Rozarko.
"How bad, Legolas?" Rozarko pressed gently.
Legolas turned his attention to him, but did not answer right away, feeling as it seemed his body was slowly getting worse again. The pain slowly intensified, and from every inhale and exhale, it hurt more and more. He did not want to admit to Rozarko, or his team, that he was getting worse from every minute. He did not quite understand why, he had been given several doses of the cure, and he had just started feeling much better, why did it now, and so quickly, turn around again. He grimaced and hissed as the pain suddenly shot through him, stabbing like knives.
Girion already poured water into a cup, handing it to Mirthral who crushed some leaves into it. He handed the cup to Rozarko.
"Here" Rozarko said and handed the cup to Legolas, helping him drink it. When finish Legolas exhausted fell back on the pillow, breathing heavily for a few moments, the pains still raging through his body. Slowly, he relaxed, and the death grip he had had on the covers loosened.
Rozarko tucked a wayward strand of hair behind Legolas ear, "have the pain lessened?" he asked quietly.
Legolas nodded tiredly, not bothering to open his eyes. He felt as he started to dose of, listening as he others talked around him, but not concentrated on the words.
o0o
Next Legolas awoke he felt cold, even though he could feel a soft blanket draped over him. He was still too tired to open his eyes, and settled to just listening to the voices around him. In the beginning he could not hear what they said, but he could recognize Belenor and Rozarko's voice. Soon the words got more clear.
"pains intensified" Rozarko said.
"How was he before?" Belenor asked.
"Tired, nut otherwise fine. He even managed to eat some broth Cyan brought him".
He could hear Belenor take a deep breath, and the sound of hands running through hair.
"How long have he been asleep?" Belenor asked.
"Six hours".
Legolas felt a soft hand on his cheek, Belenor's hand. Even though Legolas knew it was Belenor, he flinched at the touch.
"Legolas" Belenor asked softly, removing his hand, "are you awake".
Legolas exhaled tiredly, he really did not want to wake up and face the healer now. But he also knew the healer would not led him be, not now.
"Yes" he answered, sounding more irritated than he had meant to, he almost winched at his own tone, "sorry" he added much softer, opening his eyes and meeting Belenor.
The healer sat at the edge of the bed, looking more than worried down at him.
"You are cold" Belenor told as he draped the covers around Legolas.
"I feel cold" Legolas confessed, relaxing a bit as he felt the thicker, warmer covers around him.
"What about pains?" Belenor asked softly.
Legolas looked away from him, but his body felt quite numb.
"No" Legolas told, "not at the moment".
"The coldness is a side effect from the cure" Belenor told.
"Does that mean it is working, or…?" Rozarko asked from his place behind Belenor.
"I am hoping it does" Belenor confessed, and he really did hope.