CHAPTER 21

"I know that you would put as much distance as possible between us and Thranduil, but the horses need to rest," Glorfindel reminded him as the mist lifted off and the rising sun slanted rainbowed beams of light through the trees.

"We are being followed."

"I know," Glorfindel said gently. "They will catch up to us eventually whether we rest or not. But likely they are just as weary as we are and will have to rest sometime as well. We can take the time."

Giving a sigh, Elrond led the way off of the main road. Gazing down at the precious bundle he had carried on his lap until his legs had gone numb, he pressed his lips to the dirty hair and whispered yet another prayer to Elbereth. The horses were secured while Elrond made a bed for Legolas next to the fire.

"I'm off in search of breakfast," Glorfindel announced, "and to ascertain how far behind are our pursuers."

"Take all care," Elrond murmured, holding Legolas in his lap.

"Here," said Glorfindel, handing down his own cloak. "Cover him with this as well."

"All my thanks." Tucking the thick material around his prince, Elrond spared not the slightest glance for Glorfindel.

Legolas stirred fitfully as the sun warmed his face for the first time in weeks. His eyes fluttered open, unfocused for a moment before blinking and clearing.

"Are you awake?" Elrond murmured. Taking a waterskin, he uncorked it. "If you are, can you drink some of this for me?"

Legolas's fingers brushed weakly against Elrond's wrist, trying to reach for the offered water.

"Not too much," Elrond warned, "or it will all come up again."

He managed a few sips before subsiding back against Elrond's arm.

"Are you a rat?" Legolas rasped.

"The rats are gone, and I am real," Elrond said gently, smoothing matted hair away from the high forehead. "We are away from Mirkwood and on our way home, Legolas. You are safe now."

"Safe." Legolas closed his eyes as if the effort to hold them open were too much. "There is no safe place. We are being followed."

"You need not worry about that. Rest now."

"Must worry! The trees say they follow!"

"Yes. I know," Elrond acknowledged. "I'm more worried about you. Can you drink a bit more for me?"

Legolas pushed away the skin. "We cannot linger." He struggled feebly, as if trying to roll over in preparation to gaining his feet.

Spreading a hand across Legolas's chest, Elrond held him down. "Be at peace, my prince. Glorfindel is with us and will sound the alarm should we have to leave quickly. Everything is well."

"Everything is not well." Legolas panted, the small struggle having entirely drained him. Shivering, he burrowed more deeply against Elrond. "You should not have come."

"You belong with me, Legolas. I could not stay away."

Legolas' raw, trembling fingertips touched Elrond's face as if to reassure himself the Elf-lord was solid. "When Thranduil imprisoned me the first time, I wanted nothing less than to go to Imladris. Now, I want nothing more. Please, Elrond. Take me home."

"I will. And no one will take you from me again."

He managed to coax a few more sips of water into Legolas before he drifted back into what was more unconsciousness than sleep. Glorfindel emerged from the trees, carrying the nuts and edible berries he had managed to find.

"Some of these will be for Legolas later today. How is he?"

"He was awake for a few minutes, but seems on the edge of delirium," Elrond revealed. "He has had a bit to drink, but it is far from the nourishment he needs." Tears filled Elrond's eyes as he continued, unconsciously rocking Legolas to him. "We are two weeks out from Imladris, Mirkwood's army is nearly upon us, and my prince is not well. He is dehydrated and starved, beaten by the very stone he was forced to live under."

Elrond ran his fingers down Legolas's arm, captured a hand whose fingers were curled tightly inward. "His poor fingers were food for those rats. I do not know the depth of their injuries, nor those covering the rest of his body. I cannot take the time to examine him right now. By the time I can, it may we be that he is dead. Glorfindel, have I brought him out of Thranduil's madness only to have him die in my arms? Would that we had bonded before he left Imladris, that I could lend him my own strength."

Glorfindel knelt beside him. "It's not too late to bond with him."

"Look at him, Glorfindel. It's far too late."

"The same threats pursue him as before. If you were to join with him, those threats would fade away. It is not too late for it to be of benefit to both of you."

Elrond stared at him. "What are you suggesting?"

"Only that it would solve many problems were the two of you to bond now."

"You would have me take him, wounded and unconscious and delirious? What, am I to have my way with him out here in the bushes? That, you feel, would solve all of our problems?

"Yes" Glorfindel replied firmly, unphased by Elrond's outrage. "The contract would be fulfilled. Problem solved."

"No!" Elrond growled, pulling Legolas hard against him as if Glorfindel himself presented a very real threat. Legolas gave a squeak of protest, one hand lifting inches from his chest to bat away an imaginary rat.

"If you bonded with him, Thranduil's army would stop following us," Glorfindel pointed out, his blue eyes more serious than Elrond could ever remember seeing them. "His father would stop trying to take him from you, and the precious alliance between Imladris and Mirkwood would be forged. You would be allowed to tend your prince at your leisure and thereby almost certainly safe his life."

"By destroying his eternity? No."

"You are a stubborn Elf."

"You already knew that."

Glorfindel sighed. "If that is your decision, then may I suggest that the horses have rested enough, and we should be off." Turning away, Glorfindel kicked dirt onto Elrond's small fire. Making certain it was out, he turned his attention to readying the horses for travel once more.

Elrond eyed his friend with all wariness, feeling a deep shock that the older Elf-lord would suggest such a bonding. Elrond pursued the debate once they were all ahorse and again on the road.

"The bonding you suggest would bring only misery when Legolas has recovered," Elrond ventured.

"You know best, of course." Glorfindel's eyes were fixed on the road ahead. "But at least he would have time to heal and recover, rather than being jostled to death on a horse."

Elrond fell silent after that, concentrating on the fading Elf in his arms rather than pursuing pointless conversation with his oldest friend.

* * *

"We should clear Mirkwood's borders by nightfall," Glorfindel observed as Elrond tried to rouse Legolas at mid-day, in a hopeless attempt to feed him some of the fare Glorfindel had managed to find. "If we ride on another hour after dark, we'll be well out of the army's territory. Perhaps they will turn back."

"Perhaps."

"Will Legolas last that long?"

Elrond handed back the mashed berries Glorfindel had prepared. Not one bit had found its way into Legolas. "He could die at any time, Glorfindel. And I am powerless to prevent it."

The warrior Elf watched silently as, again and again, Elrond combed his fingers through Legolas's filthy mane.

"Don't you leave me, too," Elrond murmured, seeming to forget he was not alone. "The world would be altogether too lonely a place without you in it."

The day droned on with the small group traveling as quickly as Elrond dared while accommodating both horses and Legolas. Glorfindel offered to carry Legolas some small way, to afford some relief to Elrond's tiring arms and numb legs, but the Elf-lord refused.

"You know, Mithrandir and I discovered a lovely little place while traveling," said Glorfindel. "A small, grassy clearing with a hot-spring feeding into a lake. Perfect place for us to camp tonight, and I'm sure I can find it again. I'll get us a rabbit and make a thin soup for Legolas. What do you say to that?"

"It's a grand plan," Elrond offered, all misery. "You know, I foresaw the cell I found him in? I thought it lay within Dol Goldur, that surely the wraiths would take him. But I was wrong, so terribly wrong. I saw it all -- the black cell, the rats running, and Legolas left for dead."

"That cell is behind you," said Glorfindel, laying a hand on Elrond's shoulder as he rode beside him. "Let it go, for your prince is with you now. Neither one of us shall surrender him to pain and death, either in this life or the next."

"Perhaps the kinder thing would be to let him go."

"Perhaps. But that is not a decision for either one of us to make. We must do what we can to save Legolas, to restore him to you so that you can both love each other long and well."

"He does not love me, Glorfindel."

"I think that he does. Do you remember what he answered, weeks ago now, when you asked him why he had risked his life to save your horses?"

"He said, 'I like horses.'" The memory brought a ghost of a smile.

"Exactly. I've spent some time with Legolas -- admittedly not as much as you have, but enough to see that he is not a complicated creature. He risked his life to save your horses because he likes horses. He stayed with you those weeks in Imladris because he likes you."

Much as Assassin would have done, Elrond rolled a disbelieving eye toward Glorfindel.

"Will you at least consider the possibility?" the older Elf-lord pressed.

"Not if it leads to where I think it may lead, which is straight back to the bushes and bonding for us. Give it up, Glorfindel."

"I cannot. Thranduil's own are but scant hours behind us, and I do not believe they will leave off once we cross Mirkwood's border, any more than Thranduil allowed Legolas's friends to avoid taking him on the wrong side of Mirkwood's border. We are powerful, Elrond, but not that powerful, and we are only two. We are also crippled in no small way by your obstinence and inability to define the love between you and Legolas in any way that embraces the physical. At least consider what I am saying, while we ride and tonight while Legolas takes his rest under the stars of Elbereth. Those stars may well be the last light he sees this side of Mandos' Halls."

* * *

The clearing was every bit as lovely in the moonlight as Glorfindel remembered it, regardless its beauty was entirely lost on Elrond. Heading off once more with bow and arrow, the Elf-lord made short work of flushing out and shooting a rabbit. The broth for Legolas was prepared in no time, but Glorfindel found himself eating the rabbit alone, for Elrond was interested in nothing but coaxing some broth into Legolas. The semi-conscious Elf cooperated as best he could, clinging with raw fingers to Elrond only to hiss and draw back as the mangled mess the rats had created sent shards of pain shooting through his hands.

Over and over again, Legolas tried to drink, only to be distracted by his pain until total unconsciousness claimed him. Setting aside the skin full of broth, Elrond looked across the fire at Glorfindel in total helplessness.

"I am losing him."

Giving a deep sigh, Glorfindel gained his feet and gathered his weapons. "I'm going to see how much time we have until Thranduil's warriors reach us. In case you have need of it, the hot-spring lies just over there. Legolas might rest better if he were cleaner and free of the dungeon stink."

Glorfindel paced away without looking back.

* * *

The moon shown down, bathing all it touched in a soothing blue light. Lying in Elrond's arms, his long lashes shadowing his cheeks, Legolas looked as if carved from marble. His breathing grew more shallow as the moments passed.

"I cannot simply watch you die," Elrond whispered, stroking the smooth skin with the back of his hand. "And yet... what am I to do with you? Do I watch you die, or perhaps cause it myself?"

At the very least, Glorfindel's observations on the comfort of warmth and cleansing had merit, and with a sigh Elrond gathered Legolas' limp form more securely in his arms and rose. Carrying the Elf to the edge of the spring was easy enough. Dipping a hand into the water, Elrond found it neither warm enough to scald his prince or cold enough to send him further into shock. Peeling away the clothing that was little more than rags, Elrond wept anew to see the biting and bruising on the porcelain skin. Gathering Legolas close once more, Elrond blinked away the tears to see clearly where he was entering the pool.

Handful after handful of warm water caressed and cleansed Legolas, who remained still and oblivious to Elrond's ministrations. Whatever miracle of awakening and healing Elrond prayed for, it did not happen while they were in the pool.

"So you've changed your mind?" Glorfindel's voice intruded halfway through Legolas's bath.

A stream of Elven curses met the question, with Elrond snatching Legolas close, away from prying eyes before glowering up at the Elf-lord. "What are you doing back here? What news do you bring?"

"Legolas is finely made, isn't he? Beautiful. Do you realize that you left your sword back by the fire?" Glorfindel let some of the old mocking cheerfulness creep into his tones. "What if I had been the enemy?"

"Glorfindel, at this point in time, I daresay you might be. And I could cheerfully kill any intruder with my bare hands. Go away."

"Thranduil's army is nearly upon us. Just thought you'd like to know, and there's nowhere for us to go. My bow is ready, my arrows are at Legolas' service. You might wish to retrieve your sword and make a good showing of it before we're demolished."

"Do you mind?"

"It was only a suggestion." He nodded complacently. "Or I can defend our camp by myself. Not unreasonable odds, that – one Mirkwood army against one elven warrior. I almost feel sorry for them. But do carry on, Elrond. I'll go defend."

The Elf-lord disappeared behind the thick vegetation surrounding the pool. Holding his breath, Elrond also held Legolas and listened for the sound of Glorfindel's retreating steps. Reassured by what he heard - as well as by what he did not hear in the next few minutes - Elrond finished bathing Legolas, only to lean back in the water and contemplate the situation.

"If you could hear me, what would you choose, my love: life with me or freedom in death? I wish that I knew." Elrond traced the fine eyebrows, the narrow nose with a finger. Bending, he let his lips touch as well. "You must know that I love you, Legolas. You are young, life is a kingdom waiting for you. With me, would you not also have freedom as well? And would I not be happy, merely to see you each day?"

His fingers cupped a fine-pointed ear, dwarfed by the size of Elrond's hand. His fingers trailed down Legolas's throat, smoothed across the chest that rose and fell ever more shallow.

"My prince, my Legolas," he whispered. Pulling the lithe body ever closer, Elrond whispered into the ear he had only just caressed. "One day, I may see forgiveness in your eyes for what I am about to do to you, but I doubt it. I may be damned for all time and eternity, but I cannot bear to lose you."

With tears falling like silver jewels into the warm pool, Elrond set about loving Legolas. With reverent hands and lips he worshipped, drawing a despairing response from his own body and one from Legolas as well. Bending over his lover, Elrond took Legolas as gently as he could. A new bond sparked and exploded between them, only to subside into a steady pulsing inside his own mind. Warm water cradled Elrond as he cradled his bonded mate.

"You are forever free now of your father and his threats," he whispered into a delicate ear, pressing his cheek against his prince. "You will no doubt hate me as I hate myself, but you are free."

* * *

"We mean you no harm," said the she-elf leading the army of Mirkwood as no few of its members surrounded Glorfindel. "Those you see here have known Legolas since he was a babe, and we love him. We know you as a friend as well, and Elrond is not our enemy no matter what tales Thranduil may spin."

Still Glorfindel refused to stand down: twin blades were held at the ready. It was forbidden that Elf-kind should slay Elf-kind, but if that was what it took to defend the Lord of Imladris and his prince, Glorfindel would do so. "What are your intentions this night?"

"Thranduil ordered us to bring back Legolas," another Elf spoke, lowering his bow and stepping forward to speak more closely with Glorfindel. "But each of us has seen or heard of the harm our king has caused him. Legolas, Thranduil said, has committed crimes against Mirkwood. We say that the crimes visited upon a younger son by his father are far greater. Thranduil may say whatever he pleases, but we…many of us saw the truth with our own eyes. Those who have not believe the horrified witness of others who have."

Another Elf spoke. "I am one who saw Legolas." He held out a small leather pouch. "Lord Elrond will need these."

"What are they?"

"Herbs, salves and oils to help heal our prince. I saw his wounds and fear their extent. Please allow us to help. Elrond will know what is to be done with what we give him."

Glorfindel took the pouch, trying not to snatch in his eagerness.

"We brought also these clothes, to replace those damaged these weeks." Another satchel was passed to Glorfindel. "Please, won't you stop running? Stop risking Legolas' life for fear of losing him?"

Glorfindel eyed the Elf before him. "You're a healer, aren't you?"

The Elf nodded earnestly. "I tended our prince's birth, I would not harm him for all of Arda."

"The army surrounding you means you no harm," the she-elf interrupted, "for you travel with the Lord of Imladris who did what none of us dared: he brought Legolas out into the light and claimed him within our sight. This patrol would petition your lord to admit two- thirds of Thranduil's army to his lands – not to fight Imladris but to settle there and serve Prince Legolas. To live in peace and never return to Thranduil."

"Our mates and our children travel behind us," said the healer. "They creep through the wood and wait for permission to join you on your journey back to Imladris. We could not leave them in Mirkwood, so great is our fear of Thranduil's wrath. But we love our prince and would help you protect him. That is our intent, nothing more and nothing less, to keep safe those we love."

Staring at each of the Elves in their turn, Glorfindel could sense no duplicity. All were woodland Elves, wilder and less peaceful than their Sindarin counterparts, more dangerous in battle and yet more loyal and capable, Glorfindel suspected, than any of Thranduil's inner minion. And their loyalty, it seemed, lay with Legolas.

What am I to do with this? he wondered. "I thank you for your honesty, and your loyalty to Legolas. Wait here for a moment, please."

* * *

A stunned Glorfindel made his way back to the clearing. Elrond was there, dry and clothed once more and tending the fire. Legolas lay close by, his face even paler without the coating of grime, and his hair shining damply in the firelight. His chest rose and fell more deeply and evenly than before, or so it seemed to Glorfindel.

Elrond turned to greet Glorfindel the moment he sensed his approach. Elrond's sword, Glorfindel noted, was close at hand, though still in its sheath. The warrior's keen gaze swept over the Lord of Imladris.

"You bonded with him." It was not a question.

"Legolas is mine now." Elrond's eyes held a sadness that Glorfindel could not hope to fathom. "He regained consciousness a few moments ago, drank all of your broth, and now he sleeps."

"That is an improvement, certainly." Gorfindel could not keep his smile away, though Elrond only glowered at him in answer.

"What news do you bring of Mirkwood's army?"

"They send gifts." Glorfindel held out the pouches he had been given. "The smaller contains healing things, the larger contains clothes."

"Gifts? Why would they bring gifts?" Elrond looked at his friend in confusion. "Healing supplies?" he demanded, reaching up to pull them from Glorfindel's fingers. "Let me see."

"It would seem that I misjudged Mirkwood's army: they have come not to fight and return Legolas to his father, but to join us."

"Join us?" Elrond echoed absentmindedly, tearing into the smaller pouch.

"They seek permission to journey with us to Imladris. To stay."

"Of course they can stay," Elrond murmured absently, sorting through the things he'd been given. "Glorfindel, this is wonderful. Legolas's wounds are clean now, and I can wrap them with what's provided here. This is exactly what's needed, he can begin to heal." The gray eyes were full of joy now, in equal measure to the sorrow Glorfindel had glimpsed only a moment before.

"Elrond..." He followed the Elf-lord around the fire, to Legolas's side. "Were you listening to me? Do you not understand?"

"Of course I understand. Look at his poor hands, at his fingers where the rats gnawed. The wounds are down to the bone here, and I had feared gross infection. Yet his other hand - the hand bearing the seal of my house? - that hand is uninjured. How he managed to keep it safe from them I shall never know. He has other injuries--"

"Elrond--"

"--How could he not have other injuries? I burned his boots, they were ruined. Did they give you new boots for him? The rats chewed those as well, and his toes are in worse shape than his hands. They will take some time to heal, but we have time now."

"Elrond, you must know that I failed you," Glorfindel protested. "You need not have bonded with Legolas because Mirkwood's army--"

"A portion of Mirkwood's army is asking to return to Imladris with us, yes?"

"Yes."

"That means a portion of Thranduil's guard is still loyal to Thranduil, who would never relinquish control of Legolas, were he and I not bonded. They would come against Legolas at the earliest opportunity, which is removed now. Do you not see the truth of your own advice, my friend? No matter. You must help me with these bandages. No wonder Legolas seeks not to be conscious, the agony of these raw nerve endings must be intolerable to him. But he has something warm in his stomach now, and he is sleeping rather than fading, and I can help him now. This is the miracle I needed, Glorfindel - this, and these oils you have brought to me."

"Elrond, could you give me your full attention for just a moment?" Glorfindel snapped. "What am I to tell those from Mirkwood? They wait for your answer."

"Tell them that they are welcome, of course. Imladris turns no one away, most certainly not Elves seeking sanctuary. And we will need them on this journey. They care for Legolas, there are other dangers lurking about, and we will need their help to see him safely home." Elrond continued to lay out the healing supplies within easy, orderly reach of his patient, the spared Glorfindel a glance over his shoulder. "Well? Go tell them and get back here. We've a lot of bandaging to do."

Glorfindel managed a nod before turning to head back to the waiting elves with his head still spinning from the startling turn of events. But in his heart burgeoned a hope that had been impossible only a few minutes earlier. Legolas had a chance now, Elrond had said, and that was all that really mattered.