Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.
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Mirkwood's Plague
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A/N: Thanks so much for reviewing.
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Chapter 23 ~ True Suffering
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Prince Legolas' two faithful guardians watched the young Elf sleep peacefully but found themselves occasionally slipping off into sleep themselves despite their best efforts to remain awake.
Sometime late during the night Aragorn was woken by the sound of Legolas' harsh coughing. Startled, the man sat up straight in his chair, rubbing sleep from his eyes before looking to his friend. Legolas was covered in sweat and had, at some point, thrown his blankets off and Aragorn noticed the nightshirt they had dressed him in a couple of hours ago was soaked through. He was whimpering gently to himself, almost as if he was trying to keep quiet so as not to wake his two sleeping friends. Aragorn got up from his chair and gently placed his hand on Legolas' forehead, wincing when he felt how hot he was. It seemed in stark contrast to how cold his skin had been earlier.
"Legolas?" Aragorn whispered, attracting his friend's attention. Bright blue glazed eyes only half open focused on Aragorn. "How are you feeling?" he asked, sitting down on the bed beside his friend and taking Legolas' clammy hand in his own. As expected, Legolas didn't answer him or return the gentle squeeze on his hand.
Legolas groaned softly and said, "I think I'm going to…" Thankfully, he didn't need to finish his sentence as Aragorn had already reached down and grabbed a bowl that someone – the same someone who had lit the candles whilst he and Gimli slept – had left on the bedside table. Legolas struggled up as quickly as he could, Aragorn held the bowl in front of him as he vomited into it. The man tenderly rubbed his back and tucked his hair behind his ears as Legolas took deep breaths to stop his stomach from churning.
When he was certain that he wasn't going to be sick again, Legolas sat up straight. "Alright?" Aragorn asked kindly and Legolas nodded. Aragorn placed the bowl back on the bedside table and covered it over before handing Legolas a glass of water. The Elf took it gratefully but Aragorn kept a hold of the glass, as the Prince's grasp didn't look too firm. When he was finished Aragorn replaced the glass and helped Legolas lay back down. Aragorn pulled the sheets back over him and asked, "Feel better?"
"Yes, thank you," Legolas hoarsely replied. When Legolas started coughing harshly again the man handed him a clean handkerchief. He was surprised when Legolas pulled back and the white cloth had spots of bright red blood on it. The Elf didn't seem to notice that he was coughing up blood though as he lowered his hand back to the bed. "Sorry," he whispered tiredly.
"You don't have to apologise," Aragorn smiled gently, putting his hand on Legolas' forehead again, this time in comfort.
"You were sleeping," Legolas said tiredly, closing his eyes.
"You could have woken me if you needed me."
"You looked tired."
"Did Elrond come by?" Aragorn asked, looking once more at the lit candles that helped give the room a warm, comfortable glow.
"Only for a moment," he replied tiredly, opening his eyes and looking up at the man. "My father's better. Elrond said he was already sitting up and talking."
"That's good," Aragorn smiled, stroking Legolas' hair again, knowing it soothed the prince. "That's really good."
"I don't suppose you'll allow me to go and see him?" Legolas asked hopefully.
Aragorn smiled, "You need to rest right now, Legolas. You will get to see your father soon, alright? For now you need to concentrate on getting yourself better. Try not to worry about anything else for the moment."
"Is Gimli alright?" the prince asked, his gaze drifting lazily to the Dwarf who was snoring loudly in the chair beside the bed. He hadn't been woken by the friends' talking, which was hardly surprising. Legolas knew he had been up watching him for a while and the past few days had taken their toll on him – on all of them.
"He's fine…except for the bone-rattling snoring," Aragorn chuckled. Legolas merely smiled weakly but it was good enough for Aragorn; just to see his friend smiling was something.
"And you?"
"Legolas, don't worry about me, alright? I'm fine. It's you I'm worried about. You really had me worried." Legolas smiled at his friend but it turned into a grimace when pain assailed him once more. Aragorn, of course, noticed this and went to reach for the bowl but Legolas stopped him with a quiet, "I'm alright."
"Why don't you go back to sleep, mellon nin? You look exhausted."
"You should heed your own advice," Legolas whispered, turning shocking blue eyes to Gimli. "And so should he. I'm sure there is a spare room somewhere."
"You never stop, do you? I am going to stay right here with you as long as you need me, understand?" Aragorn said firmly, taking Legolas' hand in his own, noticing the tears that had formed in the beautiful blue eyes. "It's going to be alright," he said softly. Legolas fought for control but sobs soon choked his throat and Aragorn moved carefully closer to him. "Hey, hey, it's alright." Gently, Aragorn pulled the young prince close to him and allowed Legolas to cry onto his shoulder. "I'm so sorry," Aragorn said through his own tears. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all this." He felt Legolas nod against his shoulder and stroked his back gently.
Suddenly, without any warning whatsoever, Legolas went completely limp in Estel's arms and the man sat up straight, desperately trying to feel whether Legolas was breathing or not. "Gimli! Gimli!" Aragorn shouted to wake the Dwarf.
"What happened?" the Dwarf asked urgently, jumping up from his chair.
"Go get Elrond. Now!" he shouted. Gimli ran from the room, frantically searching for Elrond whilst Aragorn gently laid Legolas back down on the bed. He felt his neck for a pulse and breathed a sigh of relief when he found one, no matter how weak it was. Legolas was still breathing but it was shallow and strained, almost as if his body could barely find the strength to keep itself alive anymore.
"Legolas, wake up," Aragorn demanded, shaking his friend gently. "Come on, mellon nin, stay with me, please." Tears formed in Aragorn's eyes as he thought that Legolas might not survive this after all. The prince had been holding on for so long, maybe his shattered body just couldn't do it any more. "Don't give in, Legolas, not yet. You have to fight this. You have to fight." As he said this Elrond pushed through the door, followed by a frantic looking Gimli.
"What happened?" the Elven Lord calmly asked, immediately coming over to the bed and looking down at Legolas, who was just regaining consciousness.
"I don't know. Ada, please do something," Aragorn pleaded, not ready to lose his best friend, not after everything that had happened.
"Alright Aragorn, calm down," Elrond said although he could hear the tension and slight panic in his own voice. "Now, tell me what happened."
"I woke up and he was just lying there, covered in sweat and he said he felt sick and he was coughing, and there was blood, Ada," Aragorn said in a rush, picking up the bloodied handkerchief and showing it to Elrond. "Then he just passed out. It's the disease, isn't it? He hasn't been cured."
"But I thought you said you had found the cure," Gimli accused.
"I did," the Elven Lord said rather defensively although he did notice there had been no improvement to the bruises that marred Legolas' skin.
"Maybe you didn't give him enough. He was exposed to the disease more than anyone else. Perhaps he just needs a stronger dose," Aragorn suggested.
"Estel, we have no idea what might happen if we give him more of that potion. It could make the side-effects even worse. People are suffering enough with just one dose, let alone two."
"Do you have a better idea?" the man asked and for a moment the room was silent, indicating the answer was 'no'. "He's dying, Ada. We don't have a choice."
"Alright," Elrond sighed, recognising there was no other option. He pulled out a vial of the cure and measured out the right amount and poured it into a glass. "Here Legolas, drink this for me," he said, lifting Legolas' head from the pillow and allowing him to drink the green liquid. Legolas drank passively and Elrond gently laid his head back down. "Come on now. After everything that you've been through you can fight this. One last hurdle then it's all over," Elrond whispered, tenderly stroking Legolas' hot forehead. Unfocused eyes were only half open as Legolas looked up tiredly at Elrond. "Look at all these people. Fight for them," Elrond told him. More tears slipped past the prince's shattered defences. "I know," Elrond soothed sympathetically. "It's alright. Everything's going to be alright now. Mirkwood is already beginning to recover. The cure is working wonders. People are already starting to look better, including Frodo and your father." Elrond didn't mention those patients too far gone to help; those for who the cure was useless. They were still dying and all he could do was make it as painless as possible, not easy due to the lack of resources. He just hoped the same thing wasn't true of Legolas.
"Aragorn, stay here with him and let me know if there are any changes. I need to check that the King is alright," Elrond said to his son. "Let him sleep if he wants to. The rest will do him good. I'll be back soon."
"You don't think the cure's working on him, do you?" Aragorn asked, his voice cracking at the mere thought of losing his friend.
"I don't know. No one else is displaying further signs of the infection; only side-effects of the cure. I gave him a potent dose and this could just be a bad reaction to it."
"Ada, Legolas doesn't have the strength to fight this. Look at him. He's beyond exhausted; he can barely keep his eyes open. If he needs to fight we're going to have to help him. He won't be able to do it on his own."
Elrond looked down at Legolas, lying there gently whimpering to himself with Gimli holding his hand in an unprecedented display of affection for his friend. Years of healing training came flooding back to him: what to do to help someone fight an illness. It was never easy but it was possible. It would be even more difficult for Legolas seeing as Elrond had no real idea about what they were dealing with. However, the symptoms were fairly standard: fever, pain, sickness. All were signs of infection and that was how Elrond would treat it.
"Ada," Aragorn prompted after Elrond didn't respond to his comments.
Elrond snapped from his thoughts, suddenly knowing what they had to do. "Aragorn, I need cold water and lots of towels, more blankets and some warm water spiked with Athelas. Gimli, you just keep doing what you're doing. I still have to check in on Thranduil. I'll be back in a minute. Go, Aragorn." Aragorn rushed out to do as he was told.
When Elrond also left, Gimli found himself alone with Legolas again and once more his gaze was drawn to the family portrait hanging over the fireplace. The one his friend seemed to dislike so much. Gimli found it hard to imagine Legolas ever being a child untainted by the evils of the world, especially looking at the shaking form he was now confronted with. He wondered whether there would ever again be such a happy picture of the now shattered family. He found it hard to believe.
Turning his attention back to Legolas he noticed the Elf had his eyes closed although didn't appear to be asleep.
"Don't even think about giving up, Elf," Gimli said in his usual gruff voice. "You won't be able to avoid me, you know. You know me better than that, so you have to get well again because if you don't I'll kill you, you hear?" Legolas opened his eyes and looked over at Gimli with glassy eyes. "Yes, you hear me, don't you?" Legolas smiled weakly and his hand tightened slightly on Gimli's in affirmation. "Now you listen to me, Elf, you pull through this or you'll have me to answer to. Who am I going to tease and annoy if you leave? Hmmm? Aragorn's no fun now he's King." Gimli paused when Legolas' eyes shut with an exhausted sigh. "I know you're tired, Elf but Aragorn…he needs you to be alright. I need you to be alright." Gimli's voice was surprisingly choked and Legolas looked up to find him wiping away the tears that were forming in his eyes. The Dwarf laughed gruffly at being caught in the act. "Let's not get all soppy. We wouldn't want that now, would we?"
"No, we wouldn't want that," Legolas whispered with a ghost of a smile.
The moment was broken by Legolas' coughing. Gimli grabbed a clean handkerchief from the table and handed it to the prince with a surprisingly gentle, "Here, Legolas." The coughing subsided just as Aragorn returned to the room carrying everything Elrond had requested on a large silver tray. He placed it on a table and walked back over to Legolas, who was still trying to catch his breath again.
"How are you doing?" Aragorn asked gently.
"How do you come up with such stupid questions?" Gimli replied when Legolas couldn't find the strength to answer himself. This elicited a small smile from the Elf and Aragorn laughed at the Dwarf's antics; at least they lightened the mood a little.
Elrond entered the room and all eyes turned to him. He carried three mugs of steaming herbal tea with him. "Thirsty, Elrond?" Gimli asked jokingly, earning him a stern look from the Elven Lord. He handed one mug to Aragorn and another to Gimli.
"Do excuse us, Legolas," Elrond said to the prince before taking a long sip of his tea, almost as though he was preparing himself for the task ahead. Legolas just nodded, too tired to say anything to Elrond.
It took Legolas a moment to build up enough strength to talk. "You should all go and get some rest. There is a divan in the other room." His voice was hardly strong, in fact little more than a whisper, but it held Legolas' familiar kindness.
"Don't worry about us. We need to sort you out first," Elrond answered, smiling gently down at Legolas. When their cups were empty, Elrond said, "Alright, let's see if we can make you feel a little better." Legolas once more had his eyes closed although not in sleep. Elrond understood that feeling: being desperately tired but not being able to drift off into sleep. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could give Legolas for he had no idea how it would react with the cure. Gently, the healer placed his hand on Legolas' forehead to find that his temperature remained worryingly high. He turned to Aragorn and said, "First we need to bring his temperature down." Aragorn nodded in understanding. The man took the clean cloths and the bowl of ice-cold water. It was a cruel way to bring down a fever but it was the quickest and most efficient way. "Gimli, feel free to wait outside if you want but we could use your help if you feel up to it."
"Then I'll stay. Just tell me what to do," Gimli said firmly.
"We need to get his clothes off first," Elrond instructed.
They pulled the mass of blankets and sheets off, ignoring Legolas when he started shivering and trying to grasp the sheets. "I'm sorry but we need to do this to bring your fever down," Elrond explained as he began unbuttoning Legolas' nightshirt and Aragorn removed his light trousers. Although Legolas whimpered pitifully he didn't try to stop them. Elrond suspected that this was more because he lacked the strength rather than the will. He did understand how the Elf felt. This was never pleasant. As Elrond continued to undress Legolas he instructed Gimli, "Soak those cloths in the cold water. Make sure they are properly wet." The Dwarf nodded and did as he was told as he listened to Legolas' weak groans. "Alright, Legolas," Elrond reassured kindly.
When he asked for them Gimli handed Elrond and Aragorn a well-soaked cloth each. Without hesitation they placed the cloths on Legolas exposed skin. The Elf immediately cried out but they ignored it.
Tears slid from Legolas' eyes and Elrond placed a cold, damp cloth on forehead. "Cold," Legolas whimpered, his teeth actually chattering.
"I know. It'll be over soon. Just hold on, alright? Gimli, we need that other cloth," Elrond said over Legolas' cries. Gimli walked up to the bed but couldn't bring himself to cause pain to his already suffering friend. Seeing his reluctance Aragorn took the cloth from him and placed it on Legolas without hesitation.
"Please, Aragorn. Please don't," Legolas tried.
"I'm sorry, Legolas, but it's the only way," Aragorn said, taking Legolas' hand.
The prince was fully awake and alert now but that didn't matter, he could sleep later when his temperature was under control. They hated doing this but it really was the only way and they ignored Legolas' pleas for them to stop.
"I know, mellon nin. I know," Aragorn muttered gently, keeping hold of Legolas' hand. "I know." The man allowed Legolas to reach up and hold onto him, a desperate need for contact through his pain and discomfort. He held him tightly back as Legolas buried his face in Aragorn's robes, ignoring the fact that his own clothes were now soaked through. "Shhh, I know it hurts but we have to do it, mellon nin. We have to do it," Aragorn said in little more than a whisper, hoping it might calm his friend.
While Legolas was distracted Elrond took the cloths away, soaked them in the freezing cold water and replaced them, causing Legolas to shout out as cold met hot. Aragorn felt Legolas' cheek, wet with sweat and tears, and was disheartened to find that his fever hadn't cooled at all. It should have changed a little bit by now. Obviously what they were doing wasn't enough.
"Ada, this isn't working," Aragorn said urgently.
Elrond stopped to think for a moment before turning to Gimli. "I need you to run me a cold bath. As cold as possible."
"You're not serious," Gimli gasped.
"Now, Gimli," Elrond ordered. The longer they waited the more dangerous it was for Legolas. Although with a look of apprehension, Gimli did as he was told and Elrond moved to sit next to Legolas on the now uncomfortably wet bed and made sure the Elf's attention was focused on him. "Legolas, we need to get your fever down but this isn't working. We need to submerge you in cold water." Legolas looked up at the healer in what could only be described as utter disbelief. "It's going to be painful but I promise you it will help." Legolas looked unconvinced. "You trust me, right?" An exhausted nod. "Right then please trust that I know what I'm doing. Can you do that?" Legolas nodded and laid his head back on the pillow as though he didn't have the strength to hold it up any longer. "Alright, let's get you to the bath."
"I can walk," Legolas murmured. Aragorn and Elrond helped him sit up, sliding a blanket over his shoulders and walked unsteadily into the bathroom.
Elrond took the blanket from him and Legolas leaned on them for support as he stepped into the cold water. Reluctantly, but with grim determination, he sat down, wincing as the cold enveloped his body. Aragorn and Elrond grabbed his arms when the shock of it nearly forced him beneath the water and Legolas himself grabbed the edges of the bath.
"It's alright, Legolas, let go. We've got you," Elrond kindly said and Legolas obediently released his hold allowing his two friends to hold his weight as he forced himself to immerse his arms in the water. "Gimli, I need you to pour water over his head. Gimli," Elrond snapped when the Dwarf didn't respond.
"Right." He did as he was told but regretted it when Legolas cried out.
"Keep going," Aragorn told him.
Elrond was watching Legolas' face carefully and could see that he was beginning to get disoriented; the first sign of shock. That most definitely was not what they wanted. In the Prince's tired eyes he could also see the barely disguised tears of pain and desperation. "Look at me," he commanded. "Legolas, look at me." Dull eyes met bright brown. "I need you to focus on me and try and stay with me, alright?" He moved his hand and stroked Legolas' soaking wet hair tenderly. "Alright?" Legolas gave him a tired nod, accompanied by a poorly stifled sob. "It's alright." Again he saw Legolas fighting for control, obviously not wanting to lose his dignity in front of his friends. "It's alright. Hey, Legolas, come on, it's alright." Another cry escaped the prince's lips. Although this seemed strange to Gimli, Aragorn understood that Elrond was trying to help keep Legolas focused and also have something to use as a marker that something was going wrong. "I know it's painful," Elrond said softly, still stroking Legolas' hair gently. "You can scream if you think it will help," Elrond joked.
Legolas smiled and let out a small, choked laugh. "I might have to," he whispered through chattering teeth.
Elrond smiled understandingly. "You do whatever you need to to stay with us, alright? We won't hold it against you. I remember Aragorn screaming like a baby when he broke his wrist after foolishly jumping off a waterfall in Rivendell one time." He was trying to take Legolas' mind off the pain, hoping to make this slightly easier on him.
"Hmm, and that was only last month," Aragorn added, causing Legolas to laugh at the man, who was partially holding him up. Laughing turned into coughing though.
"It's alright. It's just a reaction to the cure, that's all," Elrond reassured. "Remember when we talked about letting your body do what it needs to?" Legolas nodded and stopped trying to resist what was happening and so the coughing subsided eventually. "There, it's alright," Elrond said gently, stroking Legolas' forehead. He was pleased to find that his temperature was falling. Legolas leaned his head back tiredly against the arms holding him up and closed his eyes. "No, Legolas. Come on, you need to stay awake for me."
"Tired," Legolas whispered.
"I know you are. You've been through so much and I know you want to go to sleep right now but you need to stay with us just a little longer. Do you think you can do that?" Legolas lifted his head and nodded, forcing his eyes open. "That's it. Well done."
"We're almost finished, Legolas, then you can sleep for the next month if you want," Aragorn smiled.
"That's what I'm going to do," Gimli grinned.
"I said he could sleep, not you," the man teased.
"You just try and stop me. Maybe I'll have dinner first though. I've only had one good meal since I got here."
"And who says we'll feed you?"
"Now look what you've done, Legolas. You've started them off," Elrond smiled at Legolas, who he sensed wasn't really listening to the argument. "It's alright," he said gently when silent tears began to fall. "Shhh, shhh, shh."
"Please Elrond, I'm so tired," Legolas whispered despairingly, his voice heard even above the other two who were still comically arguing their cases.
"Believe me, I know you are. But you need to stay with us for just a little while longer. Can you do that for me, hmmm?" A small nod. "Alright." Another barely restrained sob escaped Legolas' throat but he caught himself when the noise interrupted Aragorn's and Gimli's argument. This didn't go unnoticed by Elrond. "Can you two please wait in the bedroom for a moment?" he said softly, putting his arm further around Legolas so he had a better hold on him.
"But…" Aragorn started to argue.
"Please," Elrond stressed, telling them both he needed some time alone with Legolas.
"We'll be right outside," Aragorn said, letting go of Legolas and standing, dragging a protesting Gimli along behind him and leaving the room without a fuss.
Once the door was closed Elrond leaned closer to Legolas, stroking his hair again in an almost parental display of affection and reassurance.
"Alright, it's just you and me now," he said kindly. "For the past few days you have had to be in control and show others that you are in control and I know how hard that's been on you, especially without your father or brother to help you. But you don't have to be in control any more and I need you to be focused on this right now, alright? That's the only way you're going to beat this thing. So it's alright to let go now, alright?"
Tears fell from Legolas' eyes but he shook his head, his teeth still chattering with cold.
"Do you honestly think you could do or say anything that I haven't seen or heard a thousand times before? I've been a healer for a long time and I understand why people like to stay in control. But you are not alone in this. Come on, it's alright. Just let go," Elrond said gently, stroking Legolas' hair still.
Legolas looked to the door with a small sob. "They don't have to know. We'll tell them we discussed hunting or something." Legolas half-laughed at this. "Let's pretend this is all over and that you don't have to be strong any more." Legolas looked into Elrond's wise brown eyes and saw only kindness there.
"You don't have to be strong anymore," he whispered. Again, Legolas shook his head defiantly, only this time it was coupled with a heart-breaking whimper that he just couldn't stop. "It's alright to cry if you need to," Elrond said.
Another sob followed by another until Legolas couldn't stop or fight them anymore. "It's alright," Elrond soothed, pulling the distraught Elf closer to him and engulfing him in warm arms. Gripping onto Elrond's robes Legolas cried out every horrible thing he had seen and done in the past few days.
Elrond just held him back, whispering gentle reassurances to him and soothingly rubbing his trembling back. He knew that despite their unwavering friendship, Legolas would never be this open in front of Gimli and that was exactly what he needed right then: a distraction; something to keep him focused on the now, even if it was a heart-breaking emotional reaction. Elrond would rather have this distressing scene than have the young Elf focused on the pain and tiredness and lose consciousness.
Legolas cried despairingly into Elrond and the healer just continued his reassurances, checking his forehead every now and then to see how the fever was.
"I'm so sorry," Legolas said between sobs, apologising for his lack of control.
"Shh. Don't you ever apologise. You have nothing to be sorry for."
"It's too much, Elrond."
"I know it is. It's an enormous relief for it to all be over, I understand that. But you're not doing this alone any more. I'm not going to leave until all this is completely resolved. From now on you just let me and Gandalf handle everything, alright?" A sob issued from Legolas and Elrond checked his temperature to find it was now considerably lower. "Let me worry about everything now. I don't want you even thinking about it. You just concentrate on getting yourself better."
Legolas' cries were dying down now but Elrond kept a hold of him just in case. "Better?" he asked with a sympathetic smile. Legolas turned his head, still resting on Elrond, so he was facing the door and Elrond placed a gentle hand on his cheek.
"Aragorn and Gimli…"
"They don't need to know about this. Everything that happens in this room stays between you and me. How does that sound?" Legolas nodded and was contented to just sit in Elrond's arms for a moment. "Hey, don't you go to sleep on me just yet," Elrond prompted when he felt Legolas leaning more heavily against him.
"Sorry," Legolas whispered. "I'm so tired."
"Alright. Let's get you out of this water, get you warm and put you to bed."
Legolas nodded tiredly. "Elrond?"
"Hmmm?"
"I don't think I can stand up." Tears again fell down Legolas' face.
"That's alright. How about you just sit back and let us do all the work? Aragorn could do with a little exercise, don't you think?" Legolas smiled. "Don't you worry about a thing, mellon nin. Don't worry." They sat there for a moment before Elrond called Aragorn and Gimli back in.
"Is everything alright?" Aragorn asked when he entered the room.
"Everything's fine," Elrond said vaguely, looking down at Legolas, who was lying passively in the bath as Elrond held onto him in a comfortingly firm grip. "How about we get Legolas out of this bath now?" Elrond instructed gently.
"Sure," Aragorn said, walking over to the bath and holding out a warm towel for him. Together, Elrond and Aragorn helped Legolas out of the bath and wrapped him up in a thick towel. They slowly escorted him back into the bedroom and sat him down on the bed.
"Gimli, whilst we get Legolas dressed perhaps you could change these sheets?" Elrond asked and the Dwarf nodded obediently.
"Spare sheets are in the top cupboard," Legolas informed him tiredly. He dried himself off and got changed into the soft cotton nightshirt and trousers Elrond handed him. Without hesitation he slipped beneath the now fresh sheets and pulled them around himself tightly.
Elrond checked his temperature and smiled. "Your fever seems to have abated. The cure must finally be working. Get some sleep now, Legolas. You'll feel much better when you wake up, I promise."
Elrond's voice was gentle and it lulled Legolas into a much-needed healing sleep. Elrond waited until he was sure the prince was sleeping before standing and leading Aragorn and Gimli into the next room so they wouldn't disturb Legolas.
"You two go and get cleaned up, get something to eat and get some sleep. I'll stay here with Legolas for a while. Don't argue, Estel. Go on." Elrond nodded to the doors, daring the two to challenge him. They nodded and quietly left the room, leaving Elrond to look after their friend.
The healer moved back into the bedroom and sat down on the bed. He picked up the bowl of warm, Athelas-spiked water and soaked a cloth in it, breathing in the aroma. He gently placed the cloth on Legolas' forehead, hoping it would offer some relief in his sleep. Legolas remained in the land of Elven dreams, not even noticing the healer sat beside him.
Elrond moved to the big chair that Aragorn had previously occupied and gratefully sank down into it. Although he didn't like to admit it, the past few days had taken a lot out of him and as he sat there in the warmth of the room, watching Legolas sleep, he felt himself drifting off.
To Be Continued…
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Translations:
Mellon nin – my friend
Ada – Dad
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A/N: Yes, I know, it was shameless Legolas angst but I couldn't help myself. And it was quite long so I hope that made up for it.
Okay, folks, I'm sorry to say that this is the penultimate chapter. One more and it's all over – until the sequel that is. There's an epilogue but that'll be up on Wednesday along with the last proper chapter. I'm just giving you fair warning. Please leave a review. I love getting them.
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