Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.

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Mirkwood's Plague II:

Aftermath

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Chapter 18 ~ Forgetting

Even though Glorfindel woke at around eleven the next morning, Legolas remained sleeping and the seneschal didn't have the heart to disturb him. He carefully slipped his arm out from under Legolas – the blonde Elf had been sleeping on it all night – and climbed out of bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He looked across at Legolas when he stirred but he just rolled over onto his front in a bid to get comfortable now he was on his own. Glorfindel smiled gently and reached over to rearrange the ruffled bed sheets over him. Again, Legolas stirred but quickly settled so Glorfindel stood up straight and stretched his limbs out. He smiled once more down at the prince…king – it would take a while to get used to that – when he sighed in his sleep.

To Glorfindel, Legolas still looked like the innocent young prince he had fallen in love with. It was only when he was awake that his shoulders stooped with the weight of his grief and responsibility and his eyes filled with the cares of his kingdom. It was only when Glorfindel saw him in peaceful sleep that he could compare the two states and it only made him feel terribly sorry for the person he loved more than anything.

He bent down again and kissed Legolas' warm cheek quickly, stroking his hair back when he shifted slightly. Leaving the exhausted Elf to sleep, Glorfindel quickly used the bathroom and pulled on some clean clothes he had brought with him. After downing the glass of water by Legolas' bedside and refilling it from the jug, Glorfindel crept silently from the room, closing the door as softly as he could behind him. In the sitting room, Celeborn was reclined in the armchair by the fire reading his book. He peered over the top when he heard the soft click of the door closing.

"Celeborn," Glorfindel exclaimed quietly. "I…I didn't know you were here."

"I thought I'd stick around for a while in case Legolas needed anything, keep the masses at bay," Celeborn smiled, lowering his book to his lap.

"Are there a lot of people asking for him?"

"I fear that was inevitable. They all want to know about their king." Glorfindel nodded thoughtfully, lowering himself into the chair opposite the Lord of Lorien. "How is he?"

"Flat out. He was exhausted last night."

"It's probably best to let him sleep for as long as possible." Again, Glorfindel nodded. "And what about you? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just worried about Legolas."

"He'll be alright," Celeborn assured with a smile.

Glorfindel sighed softly, forcing a smile onto his own face. "I know. I still can't help worrying though."

There was a long silence then as Glorfindel became lost in his own thoughts. Celeborn eventually got to his feet, disturbing Glorfindel's reverie. "Can I get you something? Tea, breakfast?"

Glorfindel glanced to the bedroom door then back to Celeborn. "I probably shouldn't leave him, just in case."

"I'll get it for you."

Although Glorfindel looked slightly surprised that the Lord of Lothlorien should even offer to serve as waiter to the seneschal of Imladris, Glorfindel answered, "Thank you, my Lord." Celeborn nodded and left to make the startled Captain breakfast. After he'd gone, Glorfindel wondered whether he should have asked Celeborn to get Legolas something to eat but then thought better of it. It wouldn't be fair to wake him up, especially since he probably wouldn't eat anything anyway. Whilst he was waiting for Celeborn to return, Glorfindel went back into the bedroom but Legolas remained sleeping. Glorfindel had to smile at the sight. In deep sleep, the blonde looked almost angelic; his eyes closed, snuggled beneath the pile of blankets, warm and safe, his mouth slightly open, breathing deeply. The sunlight filtered through the drapes, brightening the room a little but not so much that it was harsh. The room was warm and cosy but by no means stifling, everything being softened by the sunlight. Glorfindel turned away from his sleeping friend and closed the door and was surprised that he had been staring at Legolas so long that Celeborn had returned with his breakfast.

Legolas remained asleep all morning and through lunch despite a near riot occurring outside when Elrond ordered that Gimli not be allowed to enter. Mostly Glorfindel was alone in the rooms, checking in on the younger Elf every hour or so or keeping the advisors at bay. He was sat on the couch reading through reports forwarded to him from Rivendell when the bedroom door finally opened. Glorfindel looked up at the noise and was slightly startled to find Legolas blinking blearily over at him. A smile almost crossed Glorfindel's face at his appearance. He was wrapped in a sheet which he clutched tightly to him and was looking remarkably tousled. His eyes were slightly screwed up against the bright light of the lounge.

"Good to see you up," Glorfindel smiled, discarding his papers.

"What time is it?" Legolas asked, his voice gravelly from sleep and actually still a little slurred. It had, after all, been a while since he had slept at all, let alone so deeply.

"Just gone two."

"In the afternoon?" Legolas exclaimed in surprise. "Why didn't you wake me up?" he then asked with a sigh.

"You looked so peaceful I didn't like to disturb you." Legolas just nodded, apparently not so concerned about the late time after all. Glorfindel thought he still looked a little out of it and he had every right to be. The captain stood and walked over to him, placing a tentative kiss on Legolas' lips. The king made no attempt to respond to it though. "How do you feel today?"

Legolas mumbled something unintelligible and went back into his bedroom, flopping gracelessly onto the bed. Glorfindel laughed softly and sat down next to him, placing a hand on the small of his back. Legolas turned his head to look at him. The seneschal stroked his hair back and smiled softly. "It's been a hell of a month for you, hasn't it?" he asked gently. Legolas merely blinked blearily up at him. "Go back to sleep, mellon nin."

"I should…" Legolas started wearily, his eyes already closed.

"Shhh, just sleep." And Legolas did so, quickly slipping back into sleep. Glorfindel sat beside him for a moment then pulled the sheets over him, making sure he was comfortable before leaving again.

Legolas slept through pretty much the whole day. At around five in the evening he emerged from the bedroom and entered the lounge, still wrapped in his sheet, to find Glorfindel playing chess with Gandalf. Elrond and Frodo were sat next to the fire, talking quietly. Not wanting to go straight back to bed, Legolas sat down next to Glorfindel and watched him get thrashed at chess by the wizard. Although he did his best to concentrate on the game within an hour he was laid asleep in Glorfindel's arms, his head resting on his chest. After a while, the others quietly filed out, leaving Glorfindel to recline back on the couch, still holding onto the soundly sleeping Legolas.

It was another four hours before Legolas woke again, blinking in confusion, not knowing where he was for a brief moment. He lifted his head off the soft, slightly moving pillow and craned his neck to look up at Glorfindel. "What…?" He glanced around the lounge, wondering why he wasn't still in bed.

"You fell asleep," Glorfindel explained gently as Legolas sat up.

"Oh, right," Legolas mumbled, raking his fingers through his untidy hair. "Sorry."

Glorfindel also sat up straight and stretched out his stiff arms. "Gandalf was thrashing me at chess anyway. You saved me from further humiliation." Legolas nodded, picking up a white knight and twirling it idly between his fingers. "Are you alright?"

"The day's nearly over," Legolas murmured.

"Sorry?"

Legolas met his eyes. "Only a couple of hours left to hide."

The captain took him in his arms and pressed another kiss into his hair. "You don't have to hide, Legolas. And if you feel you need more time then take it. Give yourself a chance to recover then you can face everyone else later."

Legolas was silent for a moment then shook his head softly, moving so he could look into Glorfindel's kind eyes. "I don't want to think about it tonight," he whispered. "Please." Glorfindel nodded and as if connected by something in their souls they came together, kissing deeply. Being so close to Glorfindel again somehow just felt right. He had surely waited long enough for this. Their kiss became slowly more passionate and urgent and Glorfindel pulled Legolas carefully closer to him.

"Not here," Legolas breathed when Glorfindel went to unbutton his shirt. Glorfindel stopped what he was doing and nodded, standing and easily lifting Legolas into his arms, carrying him to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him and placing him gently down on the bed. He took a second to wonder at how light the younger Elf had become but Legolas pulled him closer and all thought disappeared from Glorfindel's mind. Their lips pressed passionately together again and Glorfindel impatiently tugged his shirt over his own head before more carefully unbuttoning Legolas' nightshirt. Finally, Legolas' skin was revealed and Glorfindel suddenly stopped what he was doing. Legolas' torso was covered in dark bruises – that he had known before – and in this position they seemed all the more disturbing. The person he loved was in pain.

"Glorfindel, what's the matter?" Legolas asked from beneath him, not understanding why the Elda had stopped so suddenly.

Glorfindel's delicate fingers ghosted over the bruises and Legolas looked down. "Do they hurt?" the seneschal asked softly.

Legolas hesitated before answering, "Not much anymore," he said truthfully. When Glorfindel still didn't move, Legolas took his lingering hand and kissed it softly, drawing Glorfindel's attention back to his face. "It's alright," he assured.

"I don't want to hurt you," Glorfindel admitted.

Legolas smiled softly. "You won't," he whispered. "I promise you won't." Glorfindel nodded almost nervously and leaned forward again, pressing fluttering, light kisses on the bruised skin. Legolas sighed as Glorfindel traced the slightly sore marks on his body with his soft lips. Glorfindel soon returned his attention to Legolas' lips though and their passion increased until all thought of Mirkwood and the events of the past weeks had disappeared from both their minds.

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Legolas woke the next morning bathed in sunlight, warm and comfortable lying naked in Glorfindel's arms. The seneschal was still asleep but held onto him just as tightly. Twisting in Glorfindel's arms, Legolas turned around so he could bury his face in Glorfindel's exposed neck. Glorfindel stirred and shifted but remained sleeping, his blue eyes glazed. Legolas dozed for a while but found that he couldn't lie still any longer, growing rather restless in bed. He carefully slipped out of Glorfindel's embrace and walked sleepily into the bathroom, pulling on a robe as he went. Although still tired, the awful deep exhaustion was gone, replaced with a kind of numb feeling he couldn't quite explain. He guessed this almost pleasant feeling would not last long. After using the bathroom, he wandered into the lounge where he was surprised to find Celeborn sitting on the couch. As Celeborn looked up, Legolas self-consciously pulled his dressing gown tighter around himself.

"Legolas, you're awake," Celeborn smiled.

"Good morning."

"Afternoon," Celeborn corrected.

"Oh, right."

"Did you sleep well?"

Legolas cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, thank you."

"Good. Can I get you anything?"

"I'd love a cup of tea," Legolas admitted.

The Elven Lord smiled, standing up. "That I can do." He walked to the fire where a kettle was hanging and then to the dresser where he started putting dry herbs into two cups. "Sit down, mellon nin," he called back to Legolas who had discreetly pulled the bedroom door closed so Celeborn wouldn't catch sight of Glorfindel lying in his bed.

To distract Celeborn from the bedroom, Legolas joined him, picking up a pot of herbs. "Let me help," he said.

Celeborn took the pot from his hands and smiled softly. "No, no, no. Go and sit down. Go on." Legolas nodded in defeat and sat back down on the couch, leaning back tiredly as Celeborn set about making the tea. He handed Legolas a cup, which he took with steadier than before and joined him on the couch. "Thank you."

As Legolas sipped at his tea, Celeborn watched him closely before asking casually, "I assume Glorfindel is still asleep." Legolas nearly choked on his tea at this remark and looked up at Celeborn in complete shock. The Elven Lord merely calmly sipped his tea. "Don't worry. Far be it for me to intrude upon your personal affairs."

"It…It's not…I mean, we're not…It's not like…"

Celeborn smiled at Legolas' stuttering and held up his hand. "You don't have to explain."

There was an uncomfortable silence for a long moment before Legolas looked up at the Elven Lord. "You…you won't tell anyone?"

"Not a word." Legolas seemed surprised by this promise. "It's hardly my place to provide fodder for idle gossip. Besides, I think you have enough on your plate without adding to the problems."

Another long silence. "I appreciate that, thank you."

Celeborn waited until Legolas had finished his tea before speaking again. "Forgive me; I forgot to ask are you feeling better?"

"A little."

"Good. That's good."

"What time is it?" Legolas asked suddenly.

"Only early afternoon. No need to panic just yet," the Lord smiled.

Legolas stood up and replaced his cup on the table, stretching gingerly. "I'm going to get dressed and go for a walk," he said.

"Perhaps that's not such a good idea. You still look tired. Maybe you should go back to bed."

"I really need to get out of here for an hour or so."

Celeborn hesitated but what could he do to stop him? Legolas was king after all. "Of course." Legolas nodded and returned to his bedroom, treading carefully so as not to wake the sleeping Glorfindel. Once he was dressed in a simple tunic and leggings but with a formal robe over the top, Legolas slipped from the bedroom and met Celeborn with a smile.

"Tell Glorfindel where I am when he wakes up."

Celeborn nodded. "Don't be gone too long and don't push yourself. You are still not at full strength." Legolas nodded, dashing out the door before Celeborn could warn him further.

To Be Continued…