Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.

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Mirkwood's Plague II:

Aftermath

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Chapter 9 ~ Seeking Answers

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Whilst Elrond broke the tragic news to the others, Glorfindel sat in silence with the distraught prince. Legolas just sat quietly on the couch, staring off into space. Glorfindel didn't dare break the tense silence, afraid he might upset Legolas even more. Occasionally, Legolas would shiver slightly and although Glorfindel was tempted to say something comforting, he chose not to, wanting to give the prince some space. After the longest time, Legolas turned tear-filled blue eyes to the waiting seneschal.

"What am I going to do?" he asked thickly.

Glorfindel watched him for a minute before answering as honestly as he could. "I don't know, mellon nin. I'm sorry I can't give you a better answer."

"What am I supposed to do without him?" he repeated in distress. Not knowing exactly how to answer, Glorfindel pulled the younger Elf against him and allowed Legolas to cry onto his chest as he held him. Despite the terribly tragic circumstances, having Legolas wrapped in his arms somehow just felt right. The prince shared the sentiment, although it was barely recognisable through the burning pain of sadness that ached in his heart. Still, there was no one else he would rather be with right then than his old friend.

Glorfindel held onto the prince as he cried, having no words of comfort to offer. And Legolas seemed content to rest against him.

"How am I supposed to live without him?" Legolas asked against his old friend, his voice muffled slightly in Glorfindel's robes.

"Hey," Glorfindel exclaimed, pulling back so he could look Legolas directly in the eyes. "You can't talk like that, mellon nin," he said firmly.

"I'm the King of Mirkwood now." Legolas seemed completely dazed and panicked by this revelation. It was a terrifying thought – he was in charge now. It had nearly destroyed him having this responsibility on his shoulders during the plague and he couldn't bear the thought of it now.

Glorfindel noticed his rising panic and took his hand. "Don't worry about that right now. You don't have to concern yourself with anything just yet."

"I have to be concerned, Glorfindel," Legolas shouted, standing up abruptly. "I can't even think straight," he muttered, walking to the fireplace with his hand on his forehead as if warding off a headache.

"Legolas…" Glorfindel started to placate him but Legolas interrupted him. "I just…Please leave me alone," he said softly, striding from the sitting room and into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him before Glorfindel could reach it.

The captain went to the door and tapped lightly on it. "Legolas, mellon nin, please let me in."

"Go away," Legolas called back, his voice muffled.

"Legolas…"

"Please, Glorfindel, go away. Please go away," Legolas cried from the bedroom and Glorfindel heard such pleading in his voice that he couldn't refuse the request.

"Alright. I'll be right out here when you…if you need anything." He received no answer but didn't really expect one and had to hope that Legolas had heard his offer. He sat down on the couch and put his head in his hands; he had been so good at this just a few years ago. Back then he had known exactly what to do or say to make the young prince feel better when he was upset. After arguments with his somewhat sterner father and brother, Legolas had instinctively come to Glorfindel for friendship and Glorfindel had gladly given it, finding the intelligent young Elf enchanting. Over the years though they saw gradually less and less of each other as Rivendell and Mirkwood relations grew more strained. Eventually, the two had found a different kind of solace in each other. At first their desire for each other hadn't been quite so evident even to them. It had been tentative and undefined. However, as they grew closer and bolder with one another their secret relationship had blossomed. It had never been about the physical pleasures – although when they had eventually become more comfortable with each other it had certainly been a most pleasurable development. Their relationship had always been based on companionship. And that friendship had soon grown into love.

And Glorfindel regretted how cruelly he had betrayed the prince every day of his life. One stupid indiscretion and everything had fallen apart. It had been his own fault. Legolas had done nothing wrong. He had always been kind and attentive and yet Glorfindel had let the fickle woman's charms get the better of him. Legolas didn't deserve to be cheated on and Glorfindel, despite being devastated, couldn't blame him for leaving when he found out. He had hurt the innocent young prince in the worst possible way. When, not long after their painful split, Legolas had agreed to go to Mordor with the Fellowship, Glorfindel had wanted to grab him and stop him from leaving but Legolas had cunningly stayed with his other friends, studiously avoiding the seneschal and Glorfindel could do nothing to stop him. He had lost that right. He had thrown it away. As reports slowly trickled in about the fate of the Fellowship, Glorfindel had met each messenger with barely disguised trepidation. Every day he feared he would hear word that Legolas had been killed but the terrible news had never come and finally Glorfindel had heard that Legolas had safely reached Gondor after the destruction of the Ring. The next time he saw the prince was at Minas Tirith for Aragorn's coronation. Although their reunion had been slightly awkward, they had parted amicably. Things could never be how they once were but at least there wasn't the cold, frosty silence…only a slightly warmer one.

That meant that now, after so many years of non-communication, Glorfindel had absolutely no idea what to say to make Legolas feel better. He suddenly felt at such a loss. He almost wished Elrond would come back and take over. At least his Lord could talk to the prince without all the extra baggage. And maybe that was what Legolas needed right now. Maybe Glorfindel being there was only making things harder. And Legolas had to be the priority.

When Glorfindel finally looked up he was surprised to find that the fire was now nothing more than smouldering embers. He hadn't realised he had been sat deep in thought for so long. Looking to the closed bedroom doors confirmed that Legolas had not yet left the room and he hadn't been so engrossed in memories that he wouldn't have noticed someone walking right past him. He stood to go to the doors but hesitated. He couldn't just ignore Legolas, he decided. Knocking briefly, Glorfindel entered despite the fact he received no response.

Legolas was laid on his side on the bed facing away from the door. He was still fully dressed and hadn't bothered to pull the sheets up over himself, worrying given his state of health and the fact that the windows were wide open and the fire burned out, leaving the room rather cold.

"Legolas?" Glorfindel asked in a whisper, but still received no answer. He walked on silent feet around to the other side of the bed to find the prince fast asleep. The slight dampness on his pillow told Glorfindel that he had cried himself into an exhausted slumber. Glorfindel was understandably reluctant to disturb him so he crept across the room and pulled the windows closed. He also stoked the fire, adding more wood so it burned more strongly and finally he carefully placed a thick blanket over the sleeping prince. Brushing Legolas' golden hair back from his pale face, Glorfindel smiled sadly.

"Sleep well, mellon nin," Glorfindel whispered, bending down and kissing Legolas' cool forehead. Legolas briefly stirred but remained asleep so Glorfindel slipped from the room, pulling the doors closed with a soft click.

He turned around to find Elrond, Aragorn and Arwen all standing in the living room, obviously waiting for him. "What took you so long?" Glorfindel asked, slightly more coldly than he meant to.

"I'm sorry, I was trying to wrestle Gimli away from the dungeons."

Glorfindel sighed and perched on the edge of an armchair. "You should have just let him down there."

"I agree," Aragorn stated.

"Estel," his wife whispered, taking her husband's hand as if to restrain him.

"Killing him isn't going to bring the king back," Elrond reasoned calmly.

"It'll make me feel better," Aragorn and Glorfindel muttered at the same time.

Elrond chose to ignore this though and asked Glorfindel, "How is Legolas?"

"Sleeping," Glorfindel answered, looking sadly to the bedroom door.

"By the Valar, does he know about…?" Arwen didn't need to finish for the others to guess she meant about the imprisonment of the person who killed the King of Mirkwood.

"I didn't say anything. He was upset enough as it was."

"Probably for the best," Elrond said and the others nodded in reluctant agreement.

"I should go in and check on him," Aragorn announced after a moment.

"I only just looked in on him. He's flat out," Glorfindel said, not really wanting Legolas disturbed.

Elrond agreed. "It's probably best to let him be then. There's no point in disturbing him if he's peaceful."

"Fine but I'm staying here," Aragorn said rather more sulkily than may have been considered appropriate for the King of Gondor in front of three high-ranking officials.

"There really is no point," Glorfindel said.

Aragorn was about to protest but once more Elrond jumped in. "Glorfindel is right, Estel. Don't disturb him. We should all just give him some space." Again Aragorn went to protest but Elrond implored, "Arwen."

"Come, Estel. Father is right, Legolas needs his space. He won't want to feel crowded when he wakes up. We should just leave him be for now." Her voice was so convincing that Aragorn nodded in acceptance.

"You'll send for me if he needs anything?" Aragorn asked his father seriously.

"Of course."

"Alright, fine. We'll be in the Great Hall."

"Aragorn, people are going to be talking. Try and keep the speculation to a minimum. This is going to be mainly about damage control over the next few days," Elrond told his son. "Let's do everything we can to keep the rumours at bay, if only for Legolas' sake. I don't think he'll be up for answering a lot of questions for a while."

"We'll do what we can to help, Ada," Arwen promised.

"Thank you. I will join you in the Great Hall as soon as I can." They went to the door. "And, Aragorn, stay away from the dungeons."

"Alright," the man sighed.

"Estel."

"I said alright. I won't go near him."

With that Aragorn and Arwen left, leaving Elrond and Glorfindel to talk more freely about their friend. Elrond slowly sat down opposite Glorfindel. "So, how is Legolas really?" he asked. He hadn't expected a proper answer in front of the others. They both knew how prone to over-reacting the man was and Glorfindel wouldn't want to prompt him into doing anything irrational, particularly when he was already rather wound up.

"Honestly, I have no idea. He didn't really say much; just cried for a while and then went to bed. I don't think it's really properly sunk in yet."

"Well, it's a lot to take in." Glorfindel nodded. "He'll be alright. He's strong."

"No, he's not strong. Not when it comes to his family. It nearly broke him losing his brother. I don't know how he's going to get through this, Elrond. He's already talked about…" Glorfindel hesitated.

"About what?" the Elven Lord prompted gently, his voice concerned.

"He said he didn't know how he was going to survive on his own. If he's already talking like that then there's no hope…I just don't know if I can sit back and watch him die," Glorfindel despaired, his already shaky voice cracking as he looked up at Elrond.

"He is not going to die. I need you to be on top of this. Legolas trusts you above all else, he always has. He has always turned to you when he needs help and I have no doubt that that is what he will do now. You have to be strong for him. Show him you're strong and in control because he'll need that grounding now." Glorfindel didn't look convinced of his own ability to offer comfort to the prince though and Elrond was surprised at the usually confident seneschal's sudden self-doubt. "If you don't think you can do it, however, I'll find someone who can but I know Legolas would want you to be here for him."

"And I will be," Glorfindel finally said firmly. He looked up once more at his Lord. "Elrond, there's something I have to tell you; about me and Legolas."

Elrond held up his hand to stop his seneschal. "Don't. Not right now. I don't need to know. My concentration needs to be solely on Legolas and Mirkwood at the moment."

Glorfindel wanted Elrond to know the truth about their relationship, to understand why this task was so hard for him. He found that despite the circumstances he couldn't deny his Lord so he shoved his own discomfort aside and nodded. "Yes, my Lord."

"Alright. I'm going to find Gandalf. Will you be alright here?" He stood and looked severely down at Glorfindel.

"Yes sir."

"Thranduil is laid out in the main healing room in case Legolas asks. I would strongly advise against him seeing him though; not that I think he'll accept that." Glorfindel nodded in agreement. "Keep a close eye on him and send for me if you need to."

"Yes sir."

"It'll be alright, Glorfindel, I promise," Elrond assured before he left.

After a couple of minutes, Glorfindel pulled himself from his thoughts and wandered back into the bedroom. Legolas remained in the same position in the bed, looking so small and vulnerable beneath the blanket Glorfindel had placed over him. Glorfindel sat down beside him, looking at the prince. His careful actions had disturbed him though and he turned over to face the seneschal. Legolas blinked blearily up at him, apparently still dazed.

The fact that Glorfindel couldn't even crack a smile dawned on Legolas and his eyes dropped to the blanket covering him. "I was hoping it had just been a terrible nightmare," he whispered croakily.

"No, I'm sorry," Glorfindel confirmed softly.

Legolas nodded to himself. "How many people know?"

"A few guards, a couple of healers and your friends, of course. Elrond is trying to keep it as quiet as possible. Until you are ready that is."

"Ready for what?" Legolas asked coldly, looking up at his old friend.

Glorfindel hesitated. He didn't really know how to answer that. "I don't know," he confessed.

"People will have to be informed soon." Legolas' voice was so devoid of emotion that it scared the Elda.

"You don't have to worry about that yet."

"Someone has to. There's no Crown Prince and no King to rule Mirkwood."

"Legolas, you don't need to think about it right now. No one is expecting anything from you today, mellon nin."

"I'm all alone now," Legolas whispered to himself.

The statement sent a pang of grief through Glorfindel's heart and his words caught in his throat for a moment. When he looked down at the prince tears were once more running down his too-pale face. Suddenly feeling the need to protect his friend, Glorfindel took Legolas' hand and looked deep into blue eyes. "You are not alone. You will never be alone," he said firmly.

"Glorfindel," the prince whispered desperately.

"I'm right here," the seneschal assured. Glorfindel left Legolas to cry into his pillow for a couple of minutes before speaking again. "You should rest now, mellon nin. You must rest."

"Glorfindel, stay with me please," Legolas said thickly. "Please stay."

For the briefest of moments, Glorfindel actually hesitated. After everything that had occurred between them he couldn't assure that this was the best of ideas. However, he had promised to do whatever he could to help and Legolas was asking him to stay. How could he refuse that? So he nodded and kicked off his shoes before lying flat on the bed beside Legolas. Almost as if it were instinctive, Legolas shifted towards Glorfindel, laying his head on the seneschal's shoulder and closing his eyes. Almost nervously, Glorfindel tightened his hold on the trembling prince. Legolas seemed to appreciate this gesture and he shifted even closer so their bodies were pressed together. Glorfindel's free hand went to Legolas' face, wiping tears off the cold cheeks. No matter how many he wiped away, the tears kept coming and Legolas shuddered against him, obviously feeling at ease in his friend's familiar arms. Glorfindel gently stroked Legolas' hair as he cried, curled up against the Elda as if he were a young Elfling seeking comfort after a terrifying nightmare. And Glorfindel gladly stayed in that position for hours until Legolas finally managed to drift into a deep yet restless sleep. The blonde Elda could not take his eyes off the enchanting prince though and as he slept Glorfindel held onto him even tighter, hoping to offer a little comfort, no matter how small.

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The bright sunlight woke Glorfindel from an uneasy sleep. Legolas was still fast asleep in his arms although it did not appear to be a particularly peaceful sleep as he looked no more rested than when he had gone to sleep that night. Glorfindel disentangled his hand from Legolas' and stroked the cool cheek affectionately. The prince stirred in his arms but let out a slight whimper so Glorfindel pulled back and satisfied himself with just watching the younger Elf sleeping. Under the harsh light of the morning sun, pale and cold, Legolas looked even worse. All colour seemed to have drained from his face and he slept with his eyes closed, a classic sign of Elven distress. He must have been exhausted after hearing the news of his father's death so Glorfindel didn't move lest he disturb his peaceful rest.

All Glorfindel's efforts to keep peace in the room were ruined when someone quite loudly opened the door just as he pressed a tender kiss on Legolas' forehead. Glorfindel quickly looked across to see Aragorn standing in the doorway, his face startled.

"Sorry," the man apologised upon seeing them and backed out of the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

Glorfindel sighed softly, knowing he would have to get up to speak with the king and at least attempt to explain. He very carefully pulled himself up and slid his arm out from underneath Legolas. The prince stirred slightly as he was laid flat on the bed. Glorfindel cringed; silently praying that he wouldn't wake and thankfully Legolas merely shifted onto his side and wrapped his arms around himself as if to simulate the warmth of Glorfindel's arms around him. Ignoring the stiffness of his arms and legs from being in the same position all night, Glorfindel leant over Legolas and tucked a blanket tightly around him for warmth. Again, Legolas stirred but a gentle hushing from the Elda silenced him. After placing another gentle kiss on Legolas' forehead, the Seneschal of Imladris crept across the room and out into the living room where Aragorn was sat on the couch waiting for him.

"I didn't mean to disturb you," the man said before Glorfindel could speak. "Did he sleep last night?"

"After a while." Glorfindel lowered himself into the armchair and propped his head in his hand as he watched the man, who shifted uncomfortably in front of him like a naughty child brought before his stern father. "It was a long night."

"I still can't quite believe it. It's King Thranduil," Aragorn said, moving to what he considered to be a far safer subject.

"I know." There was a long, uncomfortable silence before Glorfindel could think of something to say. "How many people know about the king?"

Aragorn smiled grimly. "Well, it's a secret so of course everyone in Mirkwood knows. I tried not to answer when they asked me but I could not lie. Eventually, Elrond said to just tell the truth."

"It's probably for the best. I very much doubt that Legolas will wish to announce it formally. Maybe it's better to allow the gossip to spread on its own volition. If Legolas wishes to comment he can do so at a later date."

"Yes, maybe you're right." Glorfindel nodded sadly, wondering how on earth Legolas could come through this. "Glorfindel, can I ask you something?"

"You already have but by all means, ask away - again," Glorfindel smiled softly.

Aragorn seemed to take an unusually long time choosing his words and when he did speak it was tentative and somewhat reluctant. "Is there something going on between you and Legolas?"

"I beg your pardon."

"It's just Gandalf said something earlier…"

"Did he?" The seneschal's eyes flickered dangerously at the mere implication and Aragorn knew he had to tread carefully.

"Nothing…explicit but he did imply…"

Glorfindel stood suddenly, startling the king. "Estel, don't."

"I was just wondering…"

"I said, don't," Glorfindel shouted, wincing at the level of his own voice and looking to the door as if he could see Legolas' reaction to the sound through the wood.

Slowly, Aragorn stood up, his eyes never leaving the Elf before him. "He is my best friend, Glorfindel. I won't see him hurt. He has already been through more than enough. He doesn't deserve that. Especially not now."

"I don't know what Gandalf told you…"

"He didn't say anything…not really. I'm not stupid. I've seen how you two used to look at each other when you were together in Rivendell."

"Aragorn." The man looked back up at the Elf. "I have no intention of causing him any more pain, regardless of what has happened. We must concentrate on the now, not on the past."

"What does that…?"

"Now is not the time to engage in useless speculation and hurtful gossip, Estel. Legolas is as much my friend as he is yours. I would not wish for cruel rumours to make this any harder for him."

"Nor I…" Aragorn agreed.

"Good. Then we shall say nothing more on the matter." Glorfindel straightened out his robes and walked to the door. "Will you sit with him while I go and freshen up?" the seneschal asked rather coldly.

"Of course."

"Thank you," the captain said, leaving before Aragorn could question him further.

Now left alone with Legolas, Aragorn went into the bedroom and took up a seat by the bed. He took Legolas' exposed hand and held it tightly. It was way too cold to be natural but he maintained the contact.

Legolas, however, stirred at Aragorn's touch and after a couple of moments of indecision he opened his eyes a crack. "Hello," Aragorn smiled.

The prince's response was not what Aragorn expected or wanted. "Glorfindel?" he mumbled sleepily.

"No. It's me. Aragorn," the man said, trying not to show his disappointment.

"Aragorn?" Legolas asked, obviously still sleep-addled.

"Yes, mellon nin."

Legolas looked up properly at him and Aragorn smiled gently, hoping to look reassuring. Legolas merely pulled his hand back from Aragorn's and tucked it under the warm blanket. "Estel…where is Glorfindel?" Legolas mumbled, closing his eyes again.

What little hope he had that his friend wanted him near was dashed as Aragorn heard those words. "He…he went to his rooms to change his clothes. Do you want me to fetch him for you?" the man asked, not meaning to sound as cruel as he did.

"Thank you," Legolas said, already drifting off again.

Somewhat disheartened, Aragorn stood up. "I'll be right back," he promised, quietly slipping from the room. He didn't immediately go and find Glorfindel as Legolas requested though but went to look for Gandalf instead. He needed answers. Legolas had always been an enigma to him. So many secrets were hidden behind those shocking blue eyes. Legolas had never really confided in him. They were friends and they talked about the past but Legolas had always been so vague about his life, and certainly no one else would speak of Legolas' past out of turn. There had always been something odd between the Prince of Mirkwood and the Seneschal of Imladris. Whenever they came into contact the atmosphere became slightly more strained. When they spoke it was always polite but strangely impersonal. It may have been understandable. Legolas was a prince, Glorfindel a mere servant (although admittedly a very high ranking one). Relationships of any kind between a Lord and a servant were considered taboo in Mirkwood. But Aragorn had heard that Legolas and Glorfindel had once been good friends. No one ever said what had happened between them to make the air so frosty. Legolas certainly didn't just abandon people he cared for. There had definitely been something going on between them but Aragorn was hardly in a position to question it – or at least he hadn't been when he lived in Imladris as a young man. Now, however, he was king of one of the most powerful kingdoms on Middle Earth and he had the power to demand answers from people who had previously been above him in station, including Glorfindel. Despite his new-found confidence in his position, Aragorn still didn't feel entirely comfortable interrogating Glorfindel. The Elf was one of the Eldar after all, a living legend and Aragorn always held the seneschal in high regard. He wasn't sure whether he could interrogate him – not given that Glorfindel had been his mentor when he was young, teaching him everything from weapon skills to the history of Arda. To confront his tutor wouldn't be easy but he had to know what was going on. Legolas would need all his support he could get and Aragorn would need all the information to help him. It was his duty as a friend to help Legolas.

Aragorn finally reached the floor where the guest quarters were located and he looked around in a daze. Perhaps he was destined to find Glorfindel after all. It suddenly occurred to him that the seneschal had no permanent room in the Mirkwood palace and could be just about anywhere. He cursed himself for not realising this and instead began knocking on doors. Eventually, a door he knocked on opened, revealing a smartly dressed Glorfindel. Dressed in his usual impeccable blue and silver finery the Elda smiled softly.

"Aragorn, I thought you were sitting with Legolas," the seneschal frowned severely.

Suddenly, Aragorn felt like a small child again. "I was…He asked me to find you."

"Ah," was all the Elda said.

"So, here I am."

"You left him alone?" the Elf said sternly.

"I…I…No. Well, yes. He asked…." Aragorn stuttered. He hadn't even thought that he should ask someone to sit with Legolas; he had been so intent on finding Glorfindel to get answers.

"He shouldn't be left alone right now," the Elf said, stepping out of the room and pulling the door closed behind him.

"I know. I'm sorry. I was just…I needed to speak with you."

"About what?"

"I…well, it's kind of…It's…"

"Aragorn, come on, I have to get back to Legolas. Say what you have to say," Glorfindel said impatiently.

Now he was here confronting Glorfindel, Aragorn found he couldn't speak the words. "It doesn't matter. It can wait."

"I'll be with Legolas if you need me," Glorfindel said, shaking off the slightly uneasy feeling he got from Aragorn. The man merely nodded his head and Glorfindel walked off, leaving the King of Gondor, standing alone in the corridor.

Translations

Mellon nin – My friend

Ada – Dad

Arda - Earth