Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.

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Mirkwood's Plague II:

The Aftermath

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A/N: I know these updates are a little all over the place but they will get more regular, I promise. Please, please, please review. I love them…also it was my birthday yesterday so it would be a good present for me. Yes, I am not beneath using the old sympathy ploy…Enjoy.

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Chapter 2 ~ Tearful Goodbyes

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Elrond and Thranduil led Legolas slowly down the dark, cold corridors, holding onto his tightly gripping hands for support. It was fairly slow progress but the prince managed quite well, only having to stop once to catch his breath. Elrond had allowed him to get changed into his formal robes but had insisted that he not stay out of bed for too long. Legolas had argued that it was hardly appropriate to say a final farewell to Rumil in his nightclothes and Elrond had to agree.

Although Legolas would never admit it, one of the reasons he was going a little slower than normal was because he was genuinely nervous of this part – seeing his brother again. Elrond had very subtly assured him earlier that he and Aragorn had properly prepared Rumil so that he was presentable for Legolas to see. Apparently, Thranduil had already been to sit with him and Legolas had been disappointed to see his father's eyes shining with tears when he returned. He had rather hoped that his father would be his source of strength but he then realised that it was hardly fair to ask that of the King – Rumil was his son after all and he was still grieving his loss.

When he could no longer draw out the walk, they reached the room where Rumil was laid out. He took a deep breath, knowing this would be the last time he would ever see his brother.

"Are you alright?" Elrond asked, looking across at the pale prince. "You don't have to do this now if you don't feel up to it. You can always come back later."

Legolas shook his head. He had to do this now before he lost his nerve completely. "I'm alright," he said softly, the crack in his voice betraying his uncertainty.

Thranduil put his arm around his son's shoulders. "I can come in with you if you want," he offered gently, not wanting to push his son in case he wanted some time alone with his brother. But Legolas nodded gratefully, swallowing the lump of fear in his throat. The King pulled his son close, holding him tightly for a moment and Legolas leaned against him, feeling much safer in his father's arms. "Are you ready?" the King finally asked, pulling back a little so he could look into his son's eyes.

Elrond released Legolas' arm as he stood up straight and braced himself for the task ahead. "I'll give you two some time alone. Take as long as you need. I'll see to it that you are not disturbed," he said kindly.

"Thank you, Elrond," Thranduil said gently with a weak smile. He pulled the door open and walked with his son inside. He smiled sadly before closing the door on Elrond and the others. The healer turned away only to be faced with Gimli, Aragorn, Gandalf and the four Hobbits. He smiled softly. "Come, my friends. I think we should leave our Prince alone for a while." They nodded and started to depart, all but Aragorn. "Estel please, give them some peace."

"I'm not going to disturb them. I'm just going to wait out here for a while just in case they need anything."

"Estel…"

The others had all stopped now and turned back. Gimli was the next to speak, so firmly that Elrond couldn't protest. "I'm staying too."

"We're staying as well," the Hobbits chimed in almost happily, pleased at the notion they could help their friend.

Elrond went to speak again but Gandalf said, "I think this is one fight you can't win, mellon nin. Let them stay for their friends. I'll remain here and make sure they don't disturb them."

Unable to argue with the Wizard's wisdom, Elrond nodded in agreement. "Alright. Just please keep your distance. I'll be in the Great Hall if I'm needed." The others all dragged chairs into the quiet corridor so they could sit outside whilst Elrond left to check on the Great Hall and its sick occupants.

Inside the meeting room, which had been turned into an appropriately sombre place for the Royal Family to say their farewells to their lost family member, Legolas stood just staring at the lifeless form of his older brother, lying in a simple coffin. For a moment he found that he couldn't even move but could only stare in amazement at the form. He didn't know why he froze. He had already seen his brother in this state once. Now though it seemed so much more real. He didn't have anything else to worry about now, only the loss of his brother, the fact he would never speak with him again, never play another prank on Thranduil with his brother's somewhat reluctant help again. It was almost too much to bear when he really thought about it.

Concerned by Legolas' lack of movement, Thranduil held him tightly. "Legolas?" he asked quietly. "Are you alright?"

Legolas shook his head, tears escaping his eyes at the same time as the sob that had previously been caught in his throat. Thranduil pulled him into a proper hug and Legolas cried loudly onto his shoulder. For a while Thranduil held onto his son, stroking his hair back and whispering reassurances. "Shh, it's alright, ion nin," he continued to whisper as Legolas' cries died down a little. When he was a little more composed, Legolas pulled back from his father but stumbled slightly, still exhausted even though it had only been a short walk to the meeting room. Thranduil easily steadied his son. "Here, let's sit you down," he said kindly, leading his son over to the chair positioned next to the coffin. Legolas sat down heavily, his eyes never leaving the lifeless body of his brother.

Thranduil watched as more tears ran steadily down Legolas' pale face and he placed his hand on his son's stooped shoulder in support. "Go on, say goodbye to your brother," he said quietly. "I'm going to wait outside to give you a few minutes alone, alright?" Legolas nodded, wiping tears from his face. "Take your time. I'll be right outside if you need me." Thranduil stepped quietly out of the room to be greeted by a concerned looking Fellowship.

"Is everything…?" Aragorn started but Thranduil merely held up his hand to stop any questions or comments, unable to properly answer them anyway. The man was immediately silenced and returned to his seat without another word.

Meanwhile, Legolas looked in despair at his brother's lifeless body, illuminated only by candlelight. The pale orange light flickered around them giving the strange illusion of movement. Rumil looked a lot different to how Legolas last remembered seeing him. He was dressed in his best clothes, his hands crossed neatly over his still chest. Another cry escaped Legolas as he took in his brother's face, now devoid of both expression and any of the bruises he had displayed upon returning to Mirkwood. He looked almost peaceful.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Legolas whispered to his motionless brother. It didn't seem right that he should be alive whilst his brother was lying lifeless before him. "I'm sorry," he repeated over and over again until his voice cracked. He buried his face in his hands and wept openly – it wasn't like he had to be embarrassed in front of his brother. After a couple of minutes he removed his hands, looking up to his older brother once more and slipped off his seat so he was kneeling beside the coffin. Placing his hands together and bowing his head, the prince began to pray to the Valar for his brother's spirit.

When Thranduil entered the room a couple of hours later – his son not having exited – he found Legolas kneeling on the floor next to his brother's coffin, his hands clasped tightly together, his lips moving in silent prayer. On silent feet, Thranduil approached his son, crouching down next to him.

"Legolas?" he asked in a whisper. Legolas moved into his father's embrace as soon as Thranduil placed his arm over the Elf's stooped shoulders, crying into his chest as the King rocked him gently back and forth. The others, who had also crept into the room, looked on sadly. "Shhh," Thranduil soothed, stroking his son's hair. "It's alright, sweetheart, it's alright," the King said, tears falling from his own eyes at seeing his two sons like this. Legolas simply continued to cry against his father.

"Legolas?" Aragorn asked softly, taking a step forward.

The King held up his hand, stopping the man. This was, of course, Thranduil's territory. This was his family, no matter how bad a condition they were in. After all, one of his sons was already dead and the other – having already been in a poor state after returning from the Fellowship – was fast falling apart.

"Come on, sweetheart, you can't stay down here. It's freezing. Let's get you back to bed, shall we? You're exhausted, you have to sleep." Thranduil pulled back from his son, wiping tears from his face. "Come on, sweetheart."

Legolas shook his head, covering his face with his hands. "I want to stay here. I want to stay with him," Legolas cried softly.

"You can't stay down here." Legolas cried out again, almost bending double under the weight of his grief. "Alright. It's alright," Thranduil soothed, pulling his son into another hug. "Why don't we put you back to bed and if you want you can come back later." His son didn't respond though. "Alright, let's get you up off this cold floor," he said, pulling back again. Instead of trying to force his son to stand though Thranduil simply pulled him up into his arms, lifting him easily off the floor. Legolas could do nothing but cry onto his shoulder, burying his face in his father's tunic as if trying to block out the devastating reality of his surroundings. "It's alright. I've got you. Shhh, shhh," Thranduil whispered, carrying his son past the shocked members of the Fellowship. "I've got you."

Thranduil carried Legolas through the corridors, taking the fastest route to the prince's bedroom. He encountered a couple of servants along the way but no one commented on the distressing sight. Aragorn opened the door for the King and he took Legolas inside. He laid Legolas down on the bed and then lay down next to him, pulling his sobbing son into his arms, holding him tightly.

"My Lord, is there anything we can do?" Aragorn asked gently, standing nervously by the bedroom door.

"No, thank you, Aragorn," the King said softly, dismissing the man and Aragorn respectfully retreated to leave the family alone in their grief.

"It's alright, sweetheart. It's alright," Thranduil whispered before pulling a blanket over them both and pressing a kiss into his son's golden hair. "It's going to be alright now."

Whilst Thranduil held onto his surviving son as he cried himself into an exhausted sleep, Aragorn went straight to the Great Hall where he knew his own father would still be treating patients. It was a lot quieter than it had been before, most people having settled into sleep and it didn't take a second for the King of Gondor to find his foster father looking over his patients. He didn't shout out to him, not wanting to attract more attention than necessary so he waited for the Elven Lord to look up and spot him from across the room. The man nodded softly indicating that he wanted to talk and Elrond immediately abandoned what he was doing and walked over, carefully stepping over sleeping patients.

"Estel, is everything alright? Is it Legolas?" Elrond asked as soon as he was close enough not to be overheard. Aragorn just nodded, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes and a lump forming in his throat, rendering him temporarily unable to speak. Embarrassed by his emotional reaction, Aragorn looked away, blinking his tears back as best he could. Elrond, however, wouldn't let his son escape so easily and placed his hand on the man's shoulder. "Estel, what's wrong?" Aragorn merely shook his head, sending his father a weak, apologetic smile. "Come and sit down." Elrond led Aragorn into the corridor so they could sit privately on one of the benches along the large hallway. As soon as he was sat down, Aragorn took a deep, juddering breath and wiped his hand across his slightly moist eyes.

"Sorry," he smiled.

Elrond smiled sympathetically back, replacing his hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "It's alright." He waited a minute for his son to regain his composure. "It was that bad?" he asked, knowing it had been Legolas who had upset the King so much.

Aragorn nodded. "I've never seen him like that. He was…" Aragorn stopped, unable to find the right words.

"He lost his brother."

"I know. But he looked…I don't know…broken."

"I'm sorry. I know he is your friend but this is one thing you really can't help him with. He just needs some time to work through it. He never had the chance to grieve for his brother. He at least deserves that. And the only thing you can do for him right now is stand back and give him some time. If he wants your help, you'll know. For now though, I'm afraid that all we can do is leave him alone."

Aragorn nodded slowly. He had known all this before he came to find Elrond. The clarification was appreciated though. "He was just sat there, praying."

Elrond smiled gently. "Good. That's good, he needs to say goodbye properly; to let go. I know it was probably distressing to watch but it was what he needed to do."

"I know."

"I assume someone is with him now."

"Yes. Thranduil took him back to his rooms. I thought it best to just leave them to it. I think I was only getting in the way."

"That's probably for the best. I'll check in on them a little later to make sure they're both alright. You go and get some rest. Sleep in tomorrow morning. It's been a long couple of weeks; you could probably do with the rest."

"Thank you, Ada."

"You're welcome." Elrond pulled him into a brief hug. After just a few seconds though Elrond sat up straight and exclaimed, "Arwen."

"What?" Aragorn asked, pulling back in confusion and surprise.

"Arwen," Elrond repeated, standing as Aragorn turned around to see his wife sweeping down the corridor, her face pale and serious. She threw herself into her father's arms and they hugged tightly for a minute.

"I heard the rumours, Ada," Arwen said, her voice choked. "I thought they were exaggerated. I never thought…" She pulled back and looked over at her startled husband.

"The rumours weren't exaggerated, Arwen," Elrond said, glancing briefly at Aragorn. Arwen then turned her attention to her husband, who had recovered enough to stand and stare at the beautiful Elf maiden. Sensing that he was no longer needed, Elrond excused himself. "I should get back inside. I'll speak to you later. And check in on Legolas."

Aragorn nodded, not looking away from his wife. "Arwen," he murmured, pulling his wife into his arms and holding her close. She was somewhat surprised by how tightly he held onto her and rubbed his back gently. "Arwen, what are you doing here?" he asked seriously when he had released her.

"I heard that there was trouble in Mirkwood and that you were involved. I had to come as there was so little news. So I set out to Mirkwood immediately with Glorfindel," she explained.

"You shouldn't have come, Arwen. We still can't guarantee it is safe here."

"Estel, tell me what happened. The streets were deserted when we rode through them and when we did find someone to ask they wouldn't tell us, in fact they barely spoke at all. Please, tell me what's going on and why does Ada need to check on Legolas? Is he alright?"

"No, not really. It's Rumil." She looked confused. "He died, Arwen. A couple of weeks ago."

"Dead?" she repeated in disbelief. She and Rumil had not been particularly close but she knew him reasonably well through Legolas and it came as quite a shock to hear that the prince was dead. "How?"

Aragorn knew he would have to explain and that it wasn't going to be short and simple. "Come to my rooms and I'll explain everything." Arm in arm they walked through the corridors – still completely deserted – and Aragorn told Arwen everything that had happened to the Royal Family and the entire kingdom.

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Just a couple of hours before dawn Elrond slipped silently into Legolas' rooms. It was dark inside but Elrond didn't need candlelight to negotiate his way across the room. Moonlight – cold silver – illuminated the two sleeping figures on the bed. Legolas was curled up against his father, who had wrapped his arms around his son. The healer was about to slip back out when Thranduil's voice whispered his name.

"I didn't mean to wake you," the dark-haired Elf whispered back. "How is he?"

Thranduil looked down at his sleeping son. "Exhausted." Elrond nodded in understanding. "We're going to be alright though."

Elrond smiled. "Of course you are."

"We just need to rest."

"Then rest. Stay with your son. Don't worry about your kingdom. Let Gandalf and me handle that."

"Thank you, Elrond. For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Go back to sleep. I'm fine. Call me if you need anything."

Thranduil nodded against his son. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Thranduil," Elrond smiled, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him, leaving Legolas to sleep peacefully in his father's arms. He then went off to find his Seneschal, Glorfindel, who had travelled with his daughter from Rivendell.

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Translations

Ada – Dad

Mellon nin – My friend

Ion nin – My son

A/N: I know that Legolas is a little out of character in these first chapters but don't worry, he'll soon be back to his most self-sacrificing. Please review.