Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this chapter, only the behaviour and the names of the Poison and the symptoms that accompany it. I thank you all for reading this story and if you have not reviewed before, please do, I would appreciate it greatly. Thanks again!
Chapter 44
It was a while before either twin spoke. Both were in a state of disbelief, not wishing for their friend to be suffering the effects of this poison let alone be ill at all. No one would wish their friend or family member to be ill. But with this poison, no decent person would wish it on their enemies either.
As if to break the silence that hung around the room like a thick fog, a small groan sounded from the bed. Estel turned to the Elf, disappointed that he had not yet woken from his deep sleep. The Ranger turned to his father in need of some reassurance that everything would be all right.
Elrond noticed the look on his foster-son's face and severely wished that he could give the human the reassurance that he desperately required. The truth was that in this circumstance, there was no assurance that anyone could give. To hope at first seemed a good idea but as time passed and the brutal reality sunk in, that wishful feeling seemed out of place. No one in Middle Earth had ever survived after being dealt this liquid death.
Even if one person had survived, Estel would have held onto that thought and would have encouraged his family to do the same. If just one person had endured the effects, that would have been enough. But none had. All victims had been dragged to a horrific death that was beyond anyone's control. And now Legolas was going to have to go through that.
The Ranger looked around the room guiltily. This feeling of shame lingered in his heart at having such morbid thoughts. This feeling wavered after taking in the sight of his family. Elladan and Elrohir were both sitting quietly, obviously deep in thought as well. Elrond was standing over to one side, preparing tea, but his eyes were distant as if contemplating the near future.
"This… is…the first… time" Legolas started, having just woken up, drawing everyone's attention, "that…you four… have been… so quiet." As the prince spoke, his voice crackled slightly from misuse. He paused after every few words, regaining lost breath and energy.
"Ah, you have awoken, penneth." Elrond said gently, returning to the bedside. "How are you feeling after your sleep?" He asked, almost trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm fine." Legolas stated matter-of-factly. Estel smiled. It was just like Legolas to say something like that. He would probably claim to be fine even if a cave troll ripped his head off. Having said this, the Ranger's initial feeling of amusement quickly disappeared and a wave of sadness swept over him. It was only a matter of time until the prince could no longer play down his injuries. It would all be a memory…
"Legolas, I need to talk to you about the poison that worked its way into your bloodstream." Elrond said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Legolas looked towards the Elven Lord sensing that something was not right in the way the sentence was spoken.
"You have found out what it is?" The archer answered by asking a question of his own. There was a muffled sob from one of the twins, which one, the prince could not tell. His eyes did not leave the calm face of the healer.
"Yes, I discovered the poison which coated the Orc's blade." Elrond started, looking Legolas directly in the eye. "You probably have come across tales of it during your many travels. It goes by the name of Eighth Night."
"Eighth Night." Legolas repeated it a couple of times, his expression suggesting that he had heard of it somewhere but the details were lost to him. "I have heard of it, but my memory is still hazy, there is not much I can recall about it at present."
"I wish not to have to tell you about it, but it is necessary that you understand exactly what is going to happen." The Elven Lord said, pausing while the archer nodded slowly. "During the course of the poison, you will suffer the symptoms. They include headaches, convulsions, fever, spells of delusion and wounds which do not heal. Some of these you have already, some you may not experience at all. The effects last for eight days and on the eighth night, the windpipe will slowly close, causing shortness of breath before the internal organs shut down from lack of oxygen."
Everyone in the room was silent at this information. None bar Elrond had known about the symptoms or even the final stages. Elrohir had small tears running slowly down his face and his twin comforted him, keeping his expression calm for Legolas' sake. Estel had looked away, wishing to keep his emotions to himself for as long as he could.
Legolas himself waited for a couple of minutes for the information to sink in. His mind registered the details and he prepared himself mentally for what was going to happen. His next thought, he voiced aloud.
"How long have I had the poison in my system for?" He asked Elrond, who quickly calculated the length of time.
"This is the fourth day." He said simply. So there were four days left.
"Well," The prince said, again gaining everyone's attention, "I had better get my revenge on people while I still can."
With this small statement, everyone in the room laughed. Little did they know that what the Elf had said, he was going to stick to. His mind started plotting right away, pranks he could pull on the twins; Valar knew how many times they had done the exact same thing to him.
"I would ask you, Legolas, not to over-exert yourself. Any strong emotions could spark off another seizure. I want you to have someone with you at all times. And, since it's you, I give my permission for you to leave this bed and visit the gardens, as long as someone goes with you. Do not tire yourself unnecessarily." Elrond warned as a smile crept over the prince's face.
TBCReplies:
Nomad6: Great! I shall keep you posted on the development of my next story. I haven't started it yet. This was not intended to be part of a series, so it does not matter if I kill him off in this story. Anyway, I have to work a double shift tomorrow, so I'd better go! Thanks for reviewing again!
Fluffy's fangirls: It's good to hear that you are now back with us and I'm glad you still enjoy the story.
BanbieBunny: I understand that Elves don't sweat. But they don't feel the cold either and Legolas is. So, it is just the effects of the poison. I don't know why I torture him so, because I love him too. You're not supposed to hurt the ones you love. But hey, it's just my imagination.
Mornflower: Ok, someone's hyper. I know the reason why too, ORLANDO'S BIRTHDAY. I was going to throw a party at school too, but the rest of my friends thought it was sad, so I didn't. Anyway, you get snowdays? What's that? Where the snow's too deep to go to school? I obviously don't get that here. Thanks for reviewing the chapter and I hope that this one was Tolkien worthy work too!
LanierShazar: I think everyone wants to kill Thranduil in this story. No wonder though. Everything he put Legolas through, and now this has to happen. Oh well, it just makes us feel for him even more…
Lalaithofthebruinen: Oh, you know what that means! More angst, people are catching on…
BitterLee: I must admit, I have never seen Lost. I haven't even heard of it. Is it a television programme or a film? Either way, I have not seen it. Never mind, synonyms for wonderful include magnificent, breathtaking, superb, amazing, astonishing, fantastic, brilliant and great. So there you go, take your pick!
Magma Rose: Hey, you haven't reviewed this story before have you? I don't remember ever replying to you. Anyway, I think it's great that you are enjoying my work, especially since this is my first ever fanfiction story. Thanks for the compliments and please continue to review!
Starfire Greenleaf: It was a bit tame wasn't it, I just had a fear that if I started to write the ending, it wouldn't be as long as I would like it to be and everything would be rushed. That has happened before, in my schoolwork. So, I decided to delay things a little bit but they will pick up again.
HarryEstel: I am mean! HAHAHAHAHAHA! That was supposed to sound evil by the way. So, do you think Leggy will die, or will he defeat the odds and survive when no one else has?
