Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mirkwood's Plague II:

Aftermath

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 14 ~ Visions

~*~

"Someone should go out and find him. He's been out there all day and it's starting to get dark," Aragorn said, looking out the window in concern. "I'm going out to look for him."

"Estel, leave him be," Elrond said.

"He shouldn't be out alone."

Elladan spoke up. "You can't tie him down."

Aragorn went to protest but Gandalf spoke up first. "Elrond is right. If he needs some time alone we should do everything we can to accommodate him."

"Fine," the man sighed, collapsing down into the chair. "I'd just like to know where he is," he muttered sulkily.

"I'm here," Legolas' voice came from the doorway, startling everyone. Aragorn immediately jumped up.

Elrond merely smiled serenely. "We were beginning to worry."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to concern you," Legolas said quietly.

Gandalf now came forward and smiled, placing his hand firmly on Legolas' shoulder. "No harm done, my dear boy. How did you like your walk?"

"Fine, thank you."

"You must come in and sit down. It's freezing out there and you haven't been inside all day," Aragorn said. "And you have to eat, doesn't he, Ada?"

"Really Estel, I'm fine," Legolas smiled falsely.

"Though it pains me to agree with anything my son has to say – Estel is right. Come to the kitchens and at the very least let me make you some soup. You have to look after yourself," Elrond encouraged, not pushing, just suggesting.

Knowing he wasn't going to win this argument, Legolas nodded. He was feeling a little hungry and he knew he would have to get it over and done with sooner or later.

"We'll sit in the kitchens, they should be empty by now. We can eat alone then," Elrond said, standing to leave. He took Legolas' arm and guided him down the hall towards the kitchens.

Aragorn went to follow but Gandalf stopped him. "Give him some space."

"But…"

"Estel please, he doesn't need to be coddled right now."

"Fine." Aragorn tried to get past Gandalf but the wizard held his ground, assuming Aragorn was going to follow his friend. "I am going to my rooms to find my wife," the man assured him tightly.

"He will come around eventually. Just give him some time," the wise wizard said.

"Time? Do you really think time is going to make him better? He's falling to pieces," Aragorn said tersely, looking to the others for support.

"Then leave him to fall to pieces in solitude."

"And if he can't pull himself back together?" Aragorn snapped.

Gandalf considered this a moment before answering. "Well, that's when he's going to need his friends by his side. Push him too far too soon and you'll only make him worse."

"Don't know how it could get much worse," Sam mumbled from beside the fire. The Hobbit seemed to realise that he'd spoken the words aloud and blushed, saying, "Sorry."

"He'll come to us if he needs us," Gandalf assured him.

"And in the meantime we do nothing," Aragorn said bitterly.

"What exactly is it you propose doing?" Gandalf asked.

Aragorn thought hard before speaking. "Be there for him. Let him know we're here for him."

"He seeks solitude. You cannot force your company upon him," Gandalf reasoned. "Leave him be if that's what he wants."

"Mithrandir is right, brother. He has always preferred to be alone," Elladan chipped in.

"But this is different. His father is dead," Aragorn raised his voice.

"And Legolas does not need to be reminded of that fact," Elladan said firmly, lowering his eyes when Gandalf glared at him for engaging his brother in an argument.

"Elladan is right. He knows himself," Gandalf said softly.

"Not right now, he doesn't. He's lost. I can see it in his eyes."

"You cannot force him to confide in you."

"And if he does something irrational while we're waiting for him to ask for help? What then? We bury another member of the royal family?" Aragorn shouted.

"That is enough, Aragorn," Gandalf boomed, immediately silencing the man. "For all our wonderings we cannot dictate Legolas' fate. Only he can help himself now."

"Fine," Aragorn ground out, storming from the room and slamming the door behind him. Gandalf only appeared mildly startled by this and not at all offended. He understood that Aragorn was merely concerned for his friend. Aragorn had always been protective over his friends – especially over Legolas after the War of the Ring. Still, they could not force Legolas into anything and to force him would only do more harm than good.

While the others were discussing Legolas' fate, Elrond led the prince into the main kitchen. Legolas sat down on a near-by stool whilst Elrond stoked the fire and placed a kettle over the flames to boil. Legolas just sat watching him, mesmerised by the movements.

"Well, what would you like to eat? I'm afraid my culinary skills are a little rusty but I think I can manage to put together a sandwich.

"That's fine," Legolas smiled. He didn't really care what he ate.

Whilst Elrond raided the larder for something suitable to eat, Legolas engaged himself by tracing a knot in the wooden table with his finger, lost in his own thoughts. He was only disturbed when Elrond placed a plate in front of him, quickly followed by a mug of hot herbal tea.

"Thank you," Legolas said, picking at the food on his plate.

"Don't play with your food," Elrond joked with a grin.

Legolas didn't seem to see the funny side of this. "Sorry," he muttered, picking up his sandwich and taking a bite, chewing thoughtfully.

"What were you doing outside today?" Elrond enquired politely as Legolas took a sip of his tea.

"Nothing in particular."

Elrond watched him staring blankly at his plate. "Is there something wrong with the food?" he asked with a smile.

"No. I'm sorry. It's fine," Legolas said vaguely.

"Then eat something. One bite is not enough."

"I went to their graves," the prince said so softly Elrond had to strain to hear even in the silence of the empty kitchens.

Elrond's response was rather unexpected. "Good." Legolas looked over at him sharply. "It is good that you got to say goodbye…more privately."

Legolas nodded. "I keep seeing his…I keep seeing him how he was after…after the attack," he confessed. "Every time I close my eyes…"

"I am sorry, mellon nin." A tear slipped down Legolas' face but he quickly wiped it away.

"You warned me but I didn't listen."

"Don't do that, Legolas. Wishing to change the past will do nothing but incite madness. You must concentrate on the future."

"It's hard," Legolas breathed tearfully.

"I know."

Legolas raked his hands through his hair. "I'm tired," he whispered.

"Then go and rest. You do not need to run yourself into the ground. It is not what your father would have wanted; surely you know that." Legolas nodded. "Finish your food then go to bed, sleep for a while. Things will seem clearer in the morning after a good nights' sleep."

Legolas only managed to swallow down a few more bites of food but it was better than nothing and Elrond cleared away as Legolas returned to his rooms.

He walked slowly back to his chambers deep in thought. A couple of times he had to look up and smile weakly at passers-by who greeted him with a small bow and whispered condolences. He walked on though, not allowing them to halt his progress too much. 'Walk purposefully' as Glorfindel had said at his father's funeral. And it worked. Nobody stopped him.

He pulled open his door and was surprised by how clean the sitting room was. With no maids around and so much going on, the rooms had been a little neglected of late. Now though there were no more papers scattered around. The fire was burning brightly, heating the room and the lamps were all lit. He walked through to the bedroom to find the bed formally made with fresh sheets and extra blankets folded neatly at the bottom. The fire in here was also lit, leaving the room warm and cosy. Legolas sat down on the bed. There were nightclothes – freshly laundered – on the chair along with a thick dressing gown that Legolas didn't recognise as his. On the bedside were a jug of fresh water and a plate of fruit.

Legolas didn't need to sit there and work out who had done all this. It was pretty obvious that Glorfindel had been responsible for making his room comfortable. Forcing back the tears that stung his eyes Legolas leapt up from the bed and strode to the door. He flung it open and walked down the corridor, not really looking where he was going. He ran right into something and looked up to find Glorfindel staring down at him, his hands on Legolas' arms to steady him.

"Forgive me, Your Highness," Glorfindel said, pulling back and releasing the prince. He bowed slightly.

Glorfindel went to walk away, sensing the tense atmosphere that still remained between them. Legolas though grabbed his arm to stop him. "Wait. Please, wait," he said quietly and Glorfindel immediately turned to face him. Legolas lowered his eyes. "I'm sorry. What I said…I didn't mean to hurt you. And I want to – if you're willing, of course – I want to try and make it work…" Legolas stuttered, not once looking up into the seneschal's blue eyes. "If you still want…If you don't I would understand but I really want to try and…"

"Legolas, you are babbling," Glorfindel said, making the younger Elf look up at him. "If this is really what you want then of course I want to try."

"Really?" Legolas asked, his voice small, almost childlike.

"Yes, really," Glorfindel smiled, his hand going to Legolas' cheek and caressing it gently.

Legolas looked deep into Glorfindel's eyes. "You know that I will have to be crowned king soon," he said, a hint of fear in his voice, although Glorfindel didn't know whether it was the prospect of being king or that he might be rejected.

"I know." Legolas nodded, tears glinting in his eyes but he blinked them back, trying not to fall apart in front of Glorfindel again. The seneschal noticed though and pulled Legolas into his arms, holding him close.

Legolas pulled back, taking a shuddering breath and smiling weakly as he wiped tears from his face. "Sorry," he whispered, wondering when it became so hard to hold it together.

"Don't apologise," Glorfindel said softly. "Let's get you back to your rooms. You look shattered." And he did. It looked as if he was having trouble staying on his feet.

"I am," Legolas surprisingly admitted, rubbing his tired eyes.

"Come on then." Glorfindel put his arm around Legolas' shoulders and led him back towards the room from which Legolas had just come. Once inside, Legolas slowly got undressed and slipped into the clean nightclothes Glorfindel had previously laid out for him. The captain set about pulling the blankets back. As soon as he was dressed, Legolas got into bed and sat up against the headboard.

Glorfindel sat down on the bed next to him, taking the plate of food from the bedside table and held it out to Legolas. "Here, eat something," the Elda said.

Sighing, Legolas said, "I'm not hungry."

"Would you please just eat it? Come on, it's only fruit."

"Fine," Legolas breathed, taking a piece of apple from the plate and taking a bite. After he had cleared half the plate, Glorfindel handed him a glass of water and he drank it down.

"Try and sleep now," Glorfindel said softly and Legolas slid down so he was lying flat. Glorfindel pulled the blankets and sheets up over Legolas so he was practically buried beneath them.

"Join me," Legolas said quietly, holding out his hand to the seneschal.

"You need to rest," the captain said with a smile, taking Legolas' proffered hand. "Please, just lie with me," Legolas corrected, his eyes closing.

Smiling, Glorfindel released Legolas' hand and took of his shoes. He pulled the covers up and slipped beneath them, making sure Legolas was warm enough. The prince cuddled up to him and Glorfindel wrapped his arms around the shattered Elf so he was holding him tightly. Legolas soon slipped into a deep sleep, feeling safe and warm in his love's arms. For the first time in days, Legolas slept peacefully, undisturbed by nightmares of his father's appearance. Glorfindel held him close, wanting only for Legolas to be able to rest in peace. And he slept through until four in the morning.

Glorfindel looked down when Legolas stirred against him. Blue eyes fluttered open a moment later. It appeared as if Legolas didn't really know where he was so Glorfindel kept quiet so as not to startle him and in the hope that he might return to sleep. However, he only became more alert so Glorfindel loosened his tight grip in case he wanted to move and it was a good job too as then Legolas tried to struggle up, ending up propped on his elbow, glancing blearily around the room. He then must have remembered someone was beside him as he looked over, rubbing his eyes.

"Glorfindel?" he asked quietly.

"Are you alright?" Glorfindel asked, sitting up so he could properly look at the prince. Legolas didn't appear too distressed.

"What time is it?" Legolas looked out the window.

"About four-ish," Glorfindel answered, yawning. As an Elf he had the ability to simply know the time without having to check the position of the sun or the heavens for reference. Given everything Legolas had been through and his apparently hazy state of wakefulness, it wasn't surprising that his internal clock was a little off. "Come back to sleep," he said, taking Legolas' hand, surprised to find that Legolas was shaking slightly. "What's wrong, mellon nin?" he asked, now concerned.

"I…Nothing. I just thought I saw…"

"What?"

Legolas looked nervously around him, as though checking the room, expecting something to be lurking in the shadows. "Nothing."

Glorfindel now looked sharply around the room, searching for intruders. As far as he could tell though, the room was empty. Swathed in shadows though it was, it remained silent. Legolas was still tense, however. "I…I thought I saw someone."

Sensing that Legolas remained uneasy, Glorfindel threw the sheets back and stepped out of bed. He lit a candle, brightening the room. As he suspected, the plush chambers were free of intruders. Legolas was now sat up straight in bed, clutching the sheets to him and looking over at the lounge door. Following his friend's gaze, Glorfindel walked boldly into the other room, checking it thoroughly and finding nothing. He returned to the bedroom and quickly looked in the bathroom and closet. The rooms were completely empty though and Glorfindel turned back to Legolas. The prince was still staring at a point in the centre of the room. He looked so pale that even in the flickering orange candlelight he looked more like a ghost than the ethereal Elf he was.

"No one here," Glorfindel said, breaking the silence. "Legolas, there's no one here," he assured again, going to sit on the bed next to the prince.

"I thought I saw…I was sure I…" Putting his head in his hands, Legolas sighed.

"Mellon nin, it was probably just a nightmare. You were dreaming," Glorfindel assured, taking Legolas in his arms again.

"You're probably right," Legolas said against Glorfindel's chest. He pulled back. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"Shhh, shh, I wasn't asleep anyway."

"You weren't staying up for me?" Legolas asked, looking into deep blue eyes. Glorfindel just smiled. "You didn't need to do that."

"I know I didn't. Now, do you think you can go back to sleep?" Glorfindel asked, stroking Legolas' hair back over his shoulders.

"Yes." Still, he seemed a little distracted though. After a moment, Legolas cleared his throat and nodded but instead of getting back beneath the sheets, he pushed the blankets back and got out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Glorfindel asked, standing suddenly.

"To the bathroom. If that's alright with you."

"Right. Of course. Sorry."

Legolas entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He placed the candle he had taken from Glorfindel on the side and leant against the sink. He looked at his pale reflection in the mirror. It hadn't been merely a feeling that something was in the bedroom with him. In truth, he had seen his father in his dream. Not a memory but like he was actually speaking with him. It had terrified him into waking but the dream had spilled into the real world and for a moment he could have sworn he had seen his father in the room. Not wanting to reveal this to his friend, Legolas had made up an excuse.

He hadn't realised he had been in the bathroom so long until he heard a knock at the door and Glorfindel called, "Legolas? Are you alright in there?"

Clearing his throat, Legolas answered, "I'm fine." He splashed water onto his face and left the bathroom to find Glorfindel waiting for him by the door. "I'm fine."

"Then come back to bed. Come on."

Legolas walked back to the bed with Glorfindel but stopped suddenly, staring at the same point in the centre of the room. Glorfindel also stopped with him, naturally startled. "Legolas, what's wrong?"

"I…" Legolas couldn't actually speak properly though.

"Legolas?"

"Can't you see him?" Legolas asked innocently, staring in wonder.

"See who?" He followed Legolas' gaze. "There's nothing there, mellon nin."

"I…" Before he could explain though, the image of his father faded away and he suddenly felt so alone. He stepped forwards, as if he moved closer it might bring the king back. It didn't though. "He was right here," Legolas insisted to Glorfindel. However, he turned towards the empty space and asked, "Ada," in a soft, imploring voice.

Suddenly, Glorfindel's eyes widened and he felt a chill run through him. He knew Legolas' claim was impossible but it still disturbed him. Pushing his discomfort aside, Glorfindel took Legolas' arm. "It's alright. Let's get you back to bed," he said softly, guiding Legolas to the bed.

"Don't you believe me?" Legolas asked, looking up at the seneschal.

For a moment, Glorfindel couldn't answer. "You're tired," was his only response.

"I'm not lying."

"I never said you were," Glorfindel defended himself, sitting Legolas down on the bed.

"I'm not crazy," Legolas said firmly. "You think I'm crazy?"

Glorfindel placed his hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I do not think you're crazy. I think you've been through an awful lot and you're not thinking straight and that you're exhausted."

"You think I'm seeing things?"

Sympathy shone in Glorfindel's sapphire eyes. "Your father can't be here. You understand that, right?"

Legolas nodded, running his hands down his face. "Yes," he finally admitted and it was true. He knew Thranduil couldn't be here. Maybe he just wanted it so much. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"Lie back down," Glorfindel whispered and helped Legolas get back into bed. "Try and go back to sleep, alright?" Legolas nodded gently.

"Glorfindel, you will be here, won't you?" he asked quietly.

"Of course I will," Glorfindel smiled. "Go back to sleep." Legolas' eyes slipped closed and soon he had drifted off into a slightly lighter sleep than before. As soon as he was certain that Legolas wasn't going to be disturbed, Glorfindel stood and left the room on silent feet. He ran down the corridors until he came to Elrond's guest quarters and knocked sharply on the door.

"Hold on," the Elven Lord called after Glorfindel banged impatiently on the door. The door finally opened to reveal a rather untidy Elrond. "Glorfindel, what are you doing here?" Elrond asked, squinting against the light in the hall.

"It's Legolas. Elrond, he was seeing things just now. He said he saw his father in the room with us."

"Where is he now?"

"Sleeping. Elrond, please can you come and check on him? I wasn't sure what to do."

Glorfindel sounded almost frantic. "Of course. Wait just a minute." Elrond ducked back inside only to reappear a couple of minutes later with a dressing gown over his nightclothes.

"I'm sorry to drag you out of bed but I was concerned."

Elrond smiled reassuringly. "You did the right thing. Better safe than sorry."

When Elrond and Glorfindel entered Legolas bedroom, the prince was still asleep in the bed. The healer approached anyway and sat down on the bed. For some reason, Glorfindel hadn't expected Elrond to wake Legolas and was rather surprised as Elrond called the prince's name, shaking his arm gently.

"Legolas? Wake up, mellon nin."

The prince groaned and opened his eyes a slit. "Elrond?" he asked groggily.

"How are you feeling?" Elrond asked, placing his hand on Legolas' forehead to check his temperature.

"I was feeling fine – while I was sleeping," Legolas mumbled.

"Sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were feeling alright. Glorfindel was concerned."

"Well, Glorfindel's concerns were unwarranted," the prince snapped, looking over at the captain in annoyance.

"Right now, Legolas, no concern for your well-being is unwarranted," Elrond said, defending his seneschal's actions. "However, you seem to be well enough now. I am sorry to have disturbed you. Go back to sleep now."

"Thank you," Legolas muttered, rolling over in bed and pulling the sheets up over his head. Elrond led Glorfindel outside into the sitting room so they could speak privately.

Glorfindel sighed and sat down. "I'm sorry, Elrond."

"Don't be. It was best to check."

"I thought maybe there was something wrong."

"Well, he seems fine now." Elrond saw Glorfindel's concern still shining in his brilliant eyes. "Don't worry, mellon nin. He's exhausted and he's still grieving. It's not surprising he's confused. Give him some time."

"And if he…sees his father again? What am I supposed to say?"

"Don't say anything. Just assure him everything's alright and keep an eye on him." Elrond walked to the door. "Send for me if you need to. And, Glorfindel, don't take his anger to heart. Right now I don't think he really knows what he's saying."

"Right."

Translations

Mellon nin – My friend

Ada – Dad

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*