Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.

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Mirkwood's Plague II:

Aftermath

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Chapter 7 ~ Cures For Cures

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Legolas was dozing by the fire in the lounge while some of the Fellowship was sitting at the table playing cards and his father was sat in the chair opposite him reading by the flickering firelight. Occasionally he would look up at his son, not that the peaceful Legolas ever noticed. The King wasn't the only one watching the prince. Elrond glanced over every so often as he deftly shuffled the deck of playing cards.

"Ada, I know you're losing all your money but, please stop stalling," Aragorn said in a light voice, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Here, you deal, I'll be right back," Elrond told Glorfindel, handing the startled blonde the deck.

"Chicken," Gimli muttered under his breath. Elrond turned back, his face set. The Dwarf merely smiled at him, showing he meant no real offence.

"I will be right back," Elrond repeated sternly. He walked over to Legolas as Glorfindel skilfully dealt the cards. Elrond gently placed his hand on Legolas' arm and the prince started awake. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked in a whisper, crouching down so they could speak with a little more privacy. "Do you want to lie down for a bit? It's getting pretty late."

Legolas smiled softly at the Elven Lord's thoughtfulness. "I'm alright, thank you. I like it here."

"Alright. Just checking." Elrond reached over to the spare chair and retrieved a blanket, placing it over Legolas' legs. "Keep warm." Legolas nodded and Elrond considered himself dismissed and smiled softly, leaving Legolas alone to rest whilst he returned to lose more money in the poker game.

"Back to waste more silver, are you, Elf?" Gimli laughed, swallowing the last of his wine and tucking gratefully into the plate of chicken at his side.

"I am," Elrond grinned, taking his seat.

"Is everything alright?" Glorfindel asked distractedly, looking over to Legolas, who was again dozing in his chair. In the gentle firelight, Legolas looked just as perfect as Glorfindel remembered him being when they were together in Rivendell. How could he have given up on what they had so easily?

When they separated, Glorfindel had of course been upset. He had wanted Legolas back with him and had spent months brooding on their relationship alone in his rooms in Imladris. Having no one to talk to about his loss had not helped. In times like that, he wished he could have revealed the truth to Elrond. His old friend would surely have understood. Every time he went to speak the truth though, his nerves got the better of him and he backed out.

He never saw the maiden he had cheated on Legolas with again. After the prince had left his side it had all seemed pointless. With Legolas gone he knew what he had lost and also knew that no other could ever fill that space in his heart.

"Everything is fine," Elrond smiled, looking up at the seneschal and seeing something in the clear blue eyes that he had never seen before.

Unfortunately, before he could identify what it was the glint was gone and Glorfindel turned back to revealing the winning hand and pulling a stunned Gimli's silver towards him with a wicked smile.

"Right, I'm done," Aragorn declared, throwing a handful of silver coins across the table in Glorfindel's direction.

"Finally run out of money then?" Gimli asked, changing his own meagre winnings from hand to hand, showing it off in front of the penniless King of Gondor.

"No," Aragorn muttered sulkily, putting the empty coin purse in his jacket pocket. "I just…"

"Arwen doesn't like you gambling?" Gimli laughed heartily.

"You've crossed a line, Dwarf," Aragorn growled, half standing from his chair even though he knew he would never do anything to harm his old friend.

"Ah-ha! So it is true. The misses has you under her thumb after only a couple of years of marriage."

"That is my daughter you are speaking of," Elrond smiled.

Whilst Gimli, Aragorn and Elrond talked and laughed, Legolas was woken from his restful sleep by something. At first he didn't know what it was that was out of place and he closed his eyes again, assuming he had been woken by something in his muddle of dreams. For a couple of minutes he drifted in semi-sleep, warm and comfortable as he listened to his friend's laughing and chatting – something that was rare in Mirkwood these days. However, before he had the opportunity to properly drift off again a sharp pain shot through him, piercing his stomach and his eyes shot open and he bent forwards in surprise, which also seemed to alleviate the pain slightly. Upon Legolas' sudden action, Thranduil sat up straight, lowering his book to his lap and looking over to his son.

"Legolas, are you alright?"

Taking a rather shaky, deep breath, Legolas nodded and slowly sat up straight again. "I'm fine," he said with a slightly wobbly smile, wrapping his arm around his stomach protectively.

"Are you sure?" Legolas nodded again and carefully leaned back in his chair. After a couple of minutes though – during which Thranduil stared intently at him – the pain came back with a vengeance and he leant forwards again, screwing his eyes shut in pain. Thranduil instantly leapt out of his seat and reached for his son. "Legolas, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Obviously Legolas couldn't answer. "Elrond," Thranduil yelled, startling the Elven Lord and everyone else at the card table. Elrond jumped out of his seat, closely followed by Aragorn; both healers rushed over to Legolas.

"Where does it hurt, mellon nin?" Elrond immediately asked Legolas. Although the prince didn't answer, Elrond could tell and wasn't entirely surprised. Some of the other patients had suffered similar symptoms, ranging in severity. Most had avoided it but just looking at the prince now it was clear that Legolas hadn't been so lucky. "It's alright. You're not the first patient to display these symptoms. I think they are a side-effect of the remedy. It'll pass."

And eventually it did subside, although it left him feeling slightly nauseous and unstable.

"Legolas, if you think you can move maybe we should get you back to bed. Can you walk?" Elrond asked kindly.

"I think so," Legolas answered softly.

"Alright." Thranduil and Elrond both helped the prince to his feet, holding onto him as he looked rather unsteady. "There we go. Nice and slowly," Elrond advised as he and Thranduil walked Legolas past the others, who were looking on in concern.

Unfortunately, the stabbing pain came back before they could reach Legolas' rooms and he doubled over in agony, allowing his two props to hold him up. Thranduil decided that it was unfair to force his son to continue like this and went to lift him into his arms but Elrond stopped him, knowing the King was not yet at his full strength. "Maybe I should," he offered, easily sweeping Legolas up into his arms and holding him securely. He carried him back to his rooms, the prince lying in the healer's embrace, trying to control the urge to cry out at the gripping pain in his stomach.

Once in Legolas' rooms, Elrond gently placed him down on the bed. He immediately curled up on his side, his arms wrapped firmly around his aching stomach. Thranduil went about lighting the candles to brighten the room whilst Elrond placed his hand on Legolas' forehead, checking for a fever, which was mercifully absent. Legolas awkwardly twisted away from the Elven Lord, not wanting him to see his face creased up in pain.

"I wish there was something I could give you to stop the pain. Maybe I can raid the healing supplies in the Great Hall but I'm afraid they tend to have a minimal effect and they are in rather short supply."

"Give it to him," Thranduil snapped without hesitation, not understanding Elrond's reluctance. Elrond looked to Legolas but the prince shook his head slightly. "Legolas, it might help you. Right, Elrond?"

"I…I can't guarantee that."

"Elrond…" Thranduil started to protest.

"Ada," Legolas said softly, thankful for a small lull in the pain. "They're short of supplies as it is. If it's not going to help then there's no point in wasting valuable resources."

"I hate seeing you like this though," Thranduil said softly, his voice much calmer now under his son's blunt reasoning.

"Ada, please," Legolas said, taking a deep breath as pain cramped his stomach again.

"Alright, alright," Thranduil muttered, humouring his son. He sat down next to him on the bed, taking ahold of his hand, which Legolas gratefully squeezed.

"How about I go get make some ginger tea? It might settle your stomach," Elrond offered.

Legolas nodded. "Thank you."

Elrond nodded and left to go to the kitchens. He had only just stepped out when he bumped into Glorfindel who had evidently been waiting just outside Legolas' doors for news on the prince. "How is he? What's wrong with him?" the Captain asked before Elrond could even greet him.

"He'll be alright in a few hours," Elrond said slowly and Glorfindel instantly berated himself for being too quick off the mark and eager with his questions, knowing that Elrond would be suspicious of him now. "I was just going to make him some ginger tea," Elrond said, mercifully breaking the horrendous silence that now hung between them.

"I can do that for you. You should get back to him," Glorfindel said, already making to leave.

"Glorfindel, Thranduil is with him." Elrond watched him for a moment before finally speaking. "Come and help me." Right away, Glorfindel knew he was in trouble. It didn't take two people to make a single cup of tea. Even so, he followed his Lord dutifully to the kitchens. Once there, Elrond went about brewing the tea, using it rather more sparingly than usual due to the fact that, like everything else, it was becoming increasingly hard to come by in Mirkwood. Due to the fact that news had spread that a disease that affected Elves spread through Mirkwood killing hundreds, people had started avoiding the kingdom, making resources scarce. Medical supplies were the worst affected; being used on so many patients it was to be expected.

"Is there something you want to tell me, Glorfindel?"

"My Lord?"

"You've been acting strangely ever since the funeral."

"I…Have I?"

"You know you have. I understand that all this must have been quite a shock but…"

Before Elrond could continue, Glorfindel turned away, blinking back tears. He didn't know what prompted his sudden lapse in control. The seneschal and ex-Captain of Gondolin was not known for his emotional outbursts. "Glorfindel?" Elrond asked, understandably surprised by the reaction.

"I'm sorry, my Lord. It's nothing."

"Glorfindel, how long have you been my seneschal?"

"It's been a while," Glorfindel smiled weakly.

"Exactly. So I know when you're lying to me." Glorfindel avoided looking into his Lord's eyes, which only served to confirm Elrond's suspicions that something was not right with him. "Is it the prince? I understand that he is your friend and that you are close…"

Glorfindel laughed softly at the irony, wiping tears away from his eyes with the back of his hand. "It's not…You wouldn't understand," he said firmly, straightening his shoulders and facing Elrond properly.

Sensing that Glorfindel wasn't going to enlighten him any further that night, Elrond nodded and picked up the mug of tea and left Glorfindel alone with his thoughts. Elrond went straight back to Legolas' rooms to find the prince in the same position as before he left. Thranduil was hushing him softly but Legolas didn't appear to be listening and Elrond couldn't really blame him.

"Drink this, Legolas. It might make you feel a little better," Elrond said, helping Legolas to sit up in bed and handed him the mug. Legolas drank it down carefully, hoping to would ease his pain and nausea at least a little. "Do you think it would help if you laid down?" Legolas shook his head, wishing the room would stop spinning.

Elrond sat with Legolas and Thranduil until the prince finally managed to drift into an uneasy sleep, tucked up tightly in the sheets. Occasionally he would roll over and groan in pain but always shifted to get himself into a more comfortable position and went straight back to sleep. At nearly four in the morning, Elrond extracted himself from his chair, quickly telling Thranduil, "Will you be alright here alone? I'm going to check everything's alright in the Great Hall."

"Of course. Go," Thranduil whispered back, looking up from the book he was reading. "He looks pretty out of it," he added, looking over to his sleeping son.

"Hopefully he'll sleep right through it," Elrond said, following his gaze. "I'll be around if you need me."

"Thank you." Elrond nodded and quietly slipped from the room. Thranduil sat reading his book by the bed for a while until he was disturbed by a low moan from Legolas. He looked up as his son turned over in bed, gripping the sheets tighter to himself. Thranduil thought he would just go back to sleep as before but this time he shifted again and after a restless couple of minutes he finally sat up in bed, his arm wrapped around his stomach.

"Legolas, are you alright?" Thranduil asked, standing up and walking over to his son, who was sitting there with his eyes closed. He sat down next to Legolas. "Are you alright, ion nin? Shall I call for Elrond?" Legolas shook his head. "Just sit here for a moment then. Is there anything I can do?" Another slight shake of the head.

Suddenly – startling Thranduil – Legolas jumped up and stumbled into the bathroom, reaching the sink just in time. Thranduil went to follow him but Legolas slammed the door before he could enter. "Legolas, are you alright?" Thranduil asked but the younger Elf didn't answer. "I'm going to get Elrond. I'll be right back." Thranduil ran from the bedroom and to the Great Hall where Elrond was checking on the remaining patients. "Elrond, come. I need you to…It's Legolas," Thranduil called across the room, oblivious to the sleeping patients. Elrond looked up in surprise and came quickly to Thranduil.

"What is it?" he asked.

Thranduil just grabbed his arm and dragged him towards Legolas' rooms. He decided not to fight Thranduil and allowed himself to be pulled along, sensing the King's panic. When Thranduil flung the door open Elrond stepped inside, expecting to see Legolas on the bed but it was empty.

"He's in the bathroom," Thranduil said and suddenly Elrond understood.

Realising that Thranduil was only panicking and that wasn't something Legolas needed right then, Elrond decided to dismiss the king. "Why don't you go and make some more ginger tea for Legolas and I'll sort him out. Go on, mellon nin. We'll be fine." Thranduil nodded and reluctantly stepped out of the room, leaving Elrond to tend to his son. As soon as the door closed, Elrond went to the bathroom door and knocked. "Legolas, it's Elrond. Can I come in?" He received no response so he knocked again. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Legolas called weakly.

"Obviously you're not fine. Just let me in. Maybe I can help."

"I'm alright," Legolas said again, sounding even less convincing than he had done a minute ago.

"Just unlock the door," Elrond called. "It's alright, your father's gone. It's just you and me."

There was a long silence before Legolas answered. "I…I can't reach the door," he confessed quietly.

"Legolas, I'm going to come in," he warned the prince and instantly began picking the lock. It didn't take him long and he finally opened the door to find Legolas sitting on the floor against the bathtub. "Legolas," he exclaimed, striding into the bathroom and kneeling down next to him. "What happened?"

"I don't know. I was…" He stopped and looked away from the healer in embarrassment.

"It's alright. Let's get you up off this cold floor. Can you stand?" Elrond asked, standing up himself and holding out his hand. Legolas shook his head sadly, avoiding Elrond's gaze. "Alright, let me help you," the healer offered kindly, taking Legolas' hands and slowly pulling him up, allowing Legolas to lean on him for support. "Were you done in here?" Elrond asked diplomatically and Legolas merely nodded. Unwilling to cause the younger Elf any further embarrassment, Elrond remained silent until Legolas had shuffled across the room, leaning heavily on Elrond. When Legolas was safely on the bed Elrond said, "Your father's gone to make you some ginger tea. It helped settle your stomach last time, didn't it?" Legolas nodded, leaning forwards slightly as pain shot through him again.

Elrond placed his arm around Legolas' shoulders and the prince leaned into him, allowing Elrond to hold him close. "I know it's horrible but it doesn't last long, I promise," he reassured as Legolas whimpered against him.

"It hurts," the prince whimpered against the healer's tunic.

"I know." And Elrond did know. Some of the patients who had been treated with the cure he had made had been suffering with the same symptoms. There was nothing the healers could do but offer comfort and support. When Elrond had made the cure, whilst half of Mirkwood was sick and dying, he hadn't even considered the awful side-effects might continue until the first patient started complaining of stomach cramps. Unfortunately, lack of medical supplies meant that Elrond couldn't afford to even try to make a cure for the cure. It was hard watching anyone in pain but Legolas writhing in his arms was even worse, after everything he had been through.

A minute later, Elrond pulled back. "Why don't you lie down? Maybe you'll be more comfortable."

"My head is spinning," Legolas admitted.

"Come and lie down," Elrond repeated, standing from the bed so Legolas could slip beneath the sheets. He tucked a blanket around the prince as he curled up onto his side. "Is there anything I can get you? Your father should be back with the tea soon." Legolas closed his eyes, trying to breathe deeply through the pain.

"What time is it?" he asked, not bothering to open his eyes.

Elrond strolled over to the windows and hitched open the curtains to look outside. "It's not far from dawn," he said. It was still dark out but light would soon be spilling over the forest.

Elrond looked back to Legolas who was lying in the same position as before, his eyes still closed, whether from tiredness or pain, Elrond didn't know. He closed the curtain and moved to stoke the fire. When he looked back, Legolas was sat up and struggling to disentangle himself from the sheets.

"What are you doing?" Elrond asked, striding over to stop the sick young Elf climbing out of bed. "What's wrong?"

"I feel…" Legolas didn't need to finish, Elrond understood and released the prince to snatch a bowl off the shelf, handing it to Legolas, who promptly brought up what little food he had managed to force down at lunchtime. Elrond moved back, giving him some space.

When he was done, Legolas sat back, blinking away tears. Elrond stepped forwards and took the bowl off the shaking prince. "Feel better?" he asked, putting the bowl in the bathroom out of the way.

"Sorry," Legolas said hoarsely.

"It's alright. Lie back down," he advised.

As embarrassing as that had been he did actually feel better. The pain in his stomach had lessened slightly, even though everything was still spinning annoyingly. He did as he was told and laid back down, shifting beneath the sheets just as Thranduil returned with a mug of steaming tea.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't find any ginger tea so I made you herbal instead," Thranduil fussed, bustling through the rooms and handing the mug to Elrond.

"I'm sure that's fine, mellon nin, but I don't think Legolas should be drinking anything just yet."

"Oh right. Of course," Thranduil mumbled, abandoning Elrond to go to Legolas. He sat down on the bed and started stroking Legolas' hair back. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?" he asked kindly.

No matter how much Legolas loved his father, whilst he was feeling like this he couldn't have the king fussing over him. He just wanted to be left alone for a while. "Ada," he sighed, wanting to curl up quietly and go to sleep.

Again it was Elrond who saved Legolas. "Thranduil, maybe we should leave Legolas to rest. Give him some space," the healer suggested.

"But…"

"Come, Thranduil, there's nothing more you can do tonight. It's probably best to leave him to sleep for a while anyway. I'll stick around here whilst you go and get some sleep."

Thranduil seemed reluctant at first but then nodded, turning back to his son. "Call me if you need me, alright?" he said softly. Legolas nodded, not opening his eyes. "I'll see you later."

"I'll wake you if there are any problems," Elrond assured, sensing the king's reluctance.

"Thank you," Thranduil smiled, leaving them alone.

"Thank you," Legolas echoed to Elrond, looking up at the Elven Lord.

Elrond smiled knowingly. "I know he can be a little over-bearing at times." The healer sat back down on the chair by the bed, close enough should Legolas need him but far enough away so he wasn't crowding the sick prince. "Try and go to sleep for a while now." Surprisingly, Legolas realised the pain had lessened slightly now and he thought he might actually be able to get some rest. And soon he managed to drift off into a restless sleep with Elrond watching over him.

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Bright sunlight disturbed Legolas from his peaceful sleep and he was completely woken when Aragorn's deep voice snapped, "Gimli, close the curtains. You're going to wake him up."

The light dimmed and Gimli mumbled, "Sorry." And then he heard heavy footsteps stomping across the room. "I'll just stand here and do nothing."

"Good. Just stand and do nothing quietly," Aragorn snapped in a harsh whisper.

"I'm not being loud," Gimli muttered under his breath but loud enough for Aragorn – and Legolas - to hear.

"Would you shut up? You're going to wake him."

"He's already awake," Legolas mumbled, attracting the attention of the two visitors.

"You idiot," Aragorn snapped at Gimli, strolling over to the bed. "How do you feel?" Aragorn asked more kindly to Legolas. The prince didn't answer but Aragorn hadn't really expected him to. "Do you need anything?"

"I could get you some tea," Gimli offered.

Legolas smiled softly, closing his eyes. "I really just want to sleep," he said in a whisper. He still felt exhausted after last night, his limbs felt stiff and sore after his sickness. A slight chill still ran through him and he unconsciously pulled the blankets further around himself.

"Of course. You should sleep," Aragorn reassured. "We'll leave you alone. It'll be quieter for you with the Dwarf gone," the man reasoned, shooting an annoyed glance at the Dwarf. "I'll send Elrond in a little later to check on you." Legolas nodded, already drifting off. So, Aragorn and Gimli left the prince to rest and truthfully, Legolas was glad for the silence. Before, he hadn't wanted to be alone but now he liked the solitude. He drifted in that blissful state between sleep and waking, content for the first time in weeks and he eventually fell into a deep sleep once again.

A tapping at the door woke him and he forced his heavy eyes open, looking to the door in time to see his father enter, walking on tiptoes. Legolas smiled and said softly, "I'm awake."

Thranduil relaxed and smiled brightly, strolling over to the bed. "Good morning," the king greeted.

Legolas pulled himself into a sitting position and rubbed his eyes, looking towards the window. "Morning?" he mumbled. "How long did I sleep?" Thranduil raised his eyebrows and pulled the curtains open. "All day?" Legolas asked sharply. He groaned and ran his fingers through his ruffled hair. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Thranduil smiled, sitting down on the bed. "It's been a long few weeks for you. It'll do you some good to catch up on a little sleep. Besides, it's not like there's anything else you need to be doing right now. You should make the most of it and rest up whilst you have the chance." Legolas nodded, lying back. Thranduil stroked his son's hair back from his forehead and Legolas closed his eyes again. "Ion nin," he whispered, still stroking. "My brave son." Legolas didn't hear him though; he had already fallen back to sleep and Thranduil was reluctant to wake him so he stood carefully and slipped silently out of the room.

When he left the room, Thranduil walked right into Elrond, who was obviously going to check on the prince. "Thranduil," Elrond exclaimed, steadying the king. Thranduil regained his composure and closed the door to Legolas' rooms. "I was about to check on your son," Elrond continued, looking to the door.

"I've just been speaking with him. He's sleeping now," the king informed the healer.

"Ah, good. He needs as much rest as possible."

Thranduil sighed softly. "Yes. He suffers more than he lets on, I think. Goodness knows, he's been through enough."

"Indeed. I'll leave him be for now." Elrond looked King Thranduil up and down. In truth, he had been so concerned with the young prince's well-being in the past few days that he had almost forgotten that the king himself had been affected by the disease. And all the recent strains of realising what a state his kingdom was in had taken its toll on the proud King of Mirkwood. He face was pale and strained and there were dark circles beneath his eyes from lack of sleep. Worry made his eyes sharp but tired. "Listen, why don't you and I have some lunch, somewhere quiet, then you should get some sleep. You look tired, mellon nin. You wouldn't want your concern for Legolas to affect your own health. He wouldn't want that."

Thranduil hesitated. "I think I should stay with my son. But thank you, Elrond," he smiled.

"He'll be fine," Elrond assured. "I'm sure he'll sleep for a while longer anyway." Still Thranduil didn't look convinced. "I'll leave a healer with him. Or Glorfindel, if it makes you feel better."

"Alright, fine," Thranduil sighed. "Leave a healer with him. He had better not be left alone. I don't want him by himself right now."

"Not a problem," Elrond smiled, leading Thranduil down the corridor towards the quieter dining halls. Thankfully, healers were slightly more available now so it wouldn't be too much trouble to find someone to sit with the prince – a far more desirable job than being in the Great Hall or in many of the makeshift healing rooms scattered around Mirkwood.

Translations

Mellon nin – My friend

Ada – Dad

Ion nin – My son