Legolas's heart froze. No! Please, no...Tears filled his eyes at he gazed down at Alasse. She was very pale, her eyes were closed, and she was so...listless. With trembling fingers, he felt her neck and prayed he'd find a pulse!
Bilbo was horrified at what he saw and stumbled backward, breathing heavily. He had already endured more unpleasant things on this quest than he had ever hoped to. But the death of a child...the very thought was unbearable, too deep and painful to imagine! The little hobbit could not bear to witness that. He staggered backwards into the tunnel. "Bilbo." A deep voice spoke to him out of nowhere.
"Aah!" Bilbo jumped when Thorin touched his shoulder. "Oh, Thorin! You nearly scared me out of my skin!" Bilbo held his chest, startled.
"Are you alright? You look shaken, Master Baggins." Thorin pointed out.
"Thorin," Bilbo hung his head, "we...we found her."
"The princess?"
"Y-yeah." Bilbo nodded quickly, wiping his nose as he started to sniffle.
"Is she alive?" Thorin asked slowly, his tone dead serious. Bilbo swallowed hard.
"I...I don't know." Bilbo shuddered. "I...I...she looked so...I just couldn't watch...we need some help in there!" Bilbo looked up at his friend with tears. He knew how much Thorin detested elves, and for good reason. But surely not all elves were that bad, considering how hospitable Elrond had been too them, especially since they'd arrived in his realm uninvited! Surely Thorin could find it somewhere in his heart to help an Elven child, particularly one who was most likely dying!
Thorin looked passed the hobbit, into the dimly lit room to see the elf prince dejectedly bent over a small chest. He remembered the panic and desperation in Thranduil's voice, when he'd urged his son to find his daughter. If Thorin had a little girl of his own, he knew in his heart, he would be the fiercest papa-wolf this side of Arda, with enough wrath and over-protectiveness to rival the Elven king, if someone dared hurt his precious treasure!
"I will go and get some help." Thorin assured Bilbo. He had seen the fleeting, questioning doubt in the halfling's eyes. Surely Bilbo didn't believe he would be that cruel!
"Please...please..." Legolas prayed as he pressed his fingers into Alasse's neck. There it was! Slow, but most definitely there! Legolas cried in relief! She was alive! He didn't see any grave wounds on her little torso, save for a few small cuts on her face. But she was nonetheless too pale, and so still. "Alasse?" Sister, it's me, Legolas! I'm here." He spoke anxiously, gently shaking her head back and forth by gripping her chin. Fluffy whined and dipped his large head inside, and began licking his mistress, trying to kiss away her visible hurts.
A puny whimper sounded and it was pure music to Legolas's ears! "It's alright, darling. Legolas is here." Legolas urged her to wake, touching her face. Alasse slightly wagged her head. Fluffy's tail wagged and he licked her even more. Alasse grimaced and pushed his big, wet nose away from her now sticky face. She stiffened and whimpered then fearfully blinked her eyes. "Alasse!" Legolas gasped joyfully. She frightfully opened her eyes and looked up.
"Leggi?" She asked timidly.
"Alasse, dear Tithen muinthel." Legolas crooned with happy tears.
"Legolas! Leggi!" She wailed, frantically reaching up to him with shaky arms.
"Oh, Alasse..." Legolas breathed, reaching in and picking her up out of that horrid box.
"Oooww!" Alasse screeched in pain. Legolas nearly dropped her, startled from her outcry. He knelt down on the floor and set her carefully on her back. "Leggi, hold me please! Don't let them take me away!" She cried with tears.
"Darling, what has happened to you?" Legolas shuddered. If she was hurt because of those⦠"You cried when I picked you up. Tell me what is wrong, Tithen muinthel."
"It hurts." She winced, holding her sides.
"What hurts, love?"
Alasse didn't answer. Legolas gently ran his hands over her frame and she shrieked. "Stop, Legolas!" She begged. Legolas's blood froze. She was indeed hurt! He had felt broken bones when he touched her. Legolas cursed viciously under his breath, and a fierce fire sizzled throughout his entire body. The fiends that did this would pay dearly for it! How dare they hurt his baby sister! She was weeping and grasping at his arms."Legolas, I want to go home!" She pleaded. "Take me home!"
"I will, melleth nin. I will." Legolas promised, with tears pouring down his face, cupping her chin.
"Don't let them take me away!" Alasse shivered with fear.
"Shh. It's alright, darling. Nobody is going to take you away." Legolas said soothingly. "I'm here, and you're safe now."
"Ada! Where's Ada? Did they take him away from us?" She asked with terror.
"No. He's safe, sister. And the bad fellows are all in big trouble now. They're caught." Legolas smiled, stroking her small face. He wanted to hold her small form tightly to himself and just love her. But he was afraid of hurting her again and didn't want to make it worse.
"I want to go home!" Alasse whimpered. "I want Ada!"
"Legolas?" Gandalf spoke up softly from behind him as he came inside, his staff adding extra light. Legolas looked up pleadingly at him and the wizard frowned. He hurried to the two elflings and knelt in front of Alasse. She was crying. Well, that was good because it meant she was alive!
"Gandalf, she's hurt!" Legolas moaned. "I am not sure how badly, but I'm very sure her ribs are broken! I have to get her out of here, but I am afraid to move her."
"Gandalf?" Alasse looked up at the wizard. He smiled warmly.
"There, there, little one." He patted her face kindly. "We'll get you home."
"Is Ada okay?"
"Ai. He may need some help, but he's okay." Gandalf said soothingly.
Gandalf gently helped the little elfling sit up while Legolas removed his cloak and bundled it around her then carefully scooped her safely into his arms. "Don't worry, Tithen muinthel. I'm taking you home! Well, back to Rivendell." Legolas promised.
"Will Ada be there too?" She asked.
"Yes." Legolas smiled fondly. "Ada will be there too. I promise."
"Is he going to die?" Fili frantically asked Oin and Elrohir as the dwarf healer examined his prince, and Elrohir was on hand, assisting.
"He's still fighting, laddie." Oin assured Fili. Balin had his arm around the boy.
"That doesn't answer my question! Is he going to make it?" Fili demanded. After being held captive for-who knew how long anymore?-, trying to protect his brother and keep him alive, his emotions were very raw.
"He is very weak and his fever is higher than I would like to see." Elrohir said solemnly. "But, as Master Oin has said, he is a fighter. I'd say he still has a chance."
"Ai, Fili. Calm yourself, lad." Oin smiled. "If your stubborn little brother can hold out this long from being in captivity, I say he has more than a fair chance!" Fili sank to the ground in tears, breathing heavily, letting the relief flood over him. Elrohir quickly handed Oin the Athelas leaves to bring down the fever and bound his torso with bandages.
"He will not last very long out here. We need to get him back to Rivendell quickly." Elrohir warned Oin who nodded.
Legolas, Fluffy, and Gandalf emerged out into the open, to find it a flurry of activity. Alasse was passed out in Legolas's arms."Your warriors took off for Rivendell with Thranduil right after they saw the dreadful state your father was in." Gandalf explained. "He was badly hurt. However, he should be rested up under Elrond's care by the time we arrive. Elladan also went with him." Legolas nodded gratefully.
"How is everyone else? Was anyone else gravely injured?" He asked.
"Nay, save for the blackguards. Your soldiers have them in custody and are treating their wounds, if not begrudgingly. They are being fully escorted to Rivendell as we speak."
"Good!" Legolas snarled venomously. "The further they are away from Alasse, the happier I will be!"
"Fili appears to be fairly well, however, Kili is not so lucky. He's very sick." Gandalf shook his head.
"He is in good hands." Legolas said.
"Ai. Pardon me. I will find Elrohir and have him come check your sister." Gandalf patted Legolas's shoulder.
"Thorin!" Legolas called to the dwarf. "How are your men?"
"We're fine." Thorin said dryly. "The lads are roughed up a bit, but I believe they'll survive. They've had more than their share of bruises and such." He half rolled his eyes, as if this was something he was used to, helping raise his nephews. Legolas grinned. Come to think of it, Thorin's dark locks did have some strands of gray in them.
"For that I am glad." Legolas said truthfully.
"However, Kili is very ill. He is strong though."
"He has to be. He takes after his hard-headed uncle!" Legolas teased. Thorin refused to smile, but it couldn't be helped.
"On the other hand, I do not believe your warriors are very keen on helping my people." Thorin added, glowering.
"I will speak with them. You have my word." Legolas promised. "We were in this together."
Thorin's stony expression did not change, at least not until he saw the little bundle in the prince's arms. "How is your princess?" He asked. Legolas's face fell.
"She's injured. I have to get her back to Lord Elrond!" Legolas exclaimed. "But she's alive."
"I am relieved to hear that." Thorin said quietly. Just then, the small bundle moved her small head and opening her tired eyes, stared at the dwarf king.
"You are a dwarf too?" She asked curiously, her little voice laced with strain.
"Yes." Thorin replied gruffly. Alasse looked up at Legolas.
"There were two dwarves stuck with us, Leggi." She said, her eyes drooping. "Their names are Fili and Kili. They were nice. They tried to save me from those bad men!"
"That's what they do." Thorin said as stoic as ever. However, a proud grin snuck onto his face.
"And they shall have my full thanks." Legolas said.
"Ahh, how is the lassie?" Balin asked as he stepped forward.
"She's hurt." Thorin muttered. "Apparently, we didn't get here in time to stop all their dirty work."
"Ahh." Balin grimaced. "It's quite a ride back to Rivendell. Oin is a healer, lad." He told Legolas. "If you like, he can make sure she's not too badly hurt before we pull out." He glanced at Thorin who nodded, then walked away to check on the others.
"Thank you, Master Balin." Legolas sighed. "But I am sure he is tending Kili. Besides, Gandalf has is fetching Elrohir."
"That is good." Balin smiled. Legolas sat down on a log, gingerly laying Alasse across his lap. Fluffy faithfully sat down beside them, his sharp eyes never leaving his mistress.
"My lord Legolas!" Voronwe, Daeralda (great tree), and a few other of the Mirkwood elves approached their prince. "You are safe! Thank the Valar."
"Why should you have ever been worried?" Legolas smirked.
"Lady Alasse. My lord, how is she?" Daeralda asked worriedly.
"I do not know." Legolas shook his head, sadly looking down at his sister. "She's breathing. But she's hurt."
"What will you have us do, my lord?" Voronwe asked.
"Take six men and venture ahead of us. Stay at the High Pass and wait to meet us, if you do not run into any danger. The rest of you guard the company and do not hesitate to do what you can to help the dwarves with whatever they may need! They were a great aid to me in finding your king and princess. As such, they shall be dealt with kindly. Daeralda, ride to Rivendell with a message for my father. Tell him I found Alasse, she is alive, and that I am bringing her to him." Legolas instructed. The elves bowed and spread out to obey, save for two who remained behind to stand guard over Thranduil's children.
Alasse stirred. "I'm tired, Leggi." Alasse moaned, shedding tears again.
"I know. But I don't want you to sleep until the healer is done examining you, okay? It's important." Legolas told her.
"I knew you would come." She smiled up at her big brother.
"Of course I would, sweetling." He said, kissing her head.
"They hurt Ada! They beat him, and they wouldn't give Kili any water, and he was really sick! They were going to take me away! Far, far away they said. I was so afraid!"
"Shh, shh. They're not going to take you away." Legolas said softly.
"I knew you would come..." Alasse rested her head against his side. Legolas refused to let her go and tried to be patient as he waited for the healer. Elrohir finally arrived, with Bilbo, Gloin, and Bofur at his side.
"Legolas!" Elrohir called. "Elladan is carrying your father back to Ada. I'm sorry I was delayed, but I was helping tend the young prince. He is in a bad way."
"Thank you, 'Ro. And I understand." Legolas nodded.
"How is she doing?" Elrohir asked, taking Alasse's small hand and monitoring her pulse.
"The sooner I get her to your father, the better." Legolas frowned. "According to Gandalf, her ribs have been injured. I do not know about internal damage."
"The poor dearie." Bofur shook his head sadly.
"Just wait till we get our hands on the fleabags who did this!" Gloin growled, gripping his ax.
"I'll take a quick look, mellon." Elrohir said to Legolas. "Alasse? It's 'Ro." He smiled down at his friend. "How are you feeling, little one?"
"I want my Ada! I want to go home." Alasse moaned.
"And so you shall soon. Can you tell me where you don't feel good?" Alasse winced and said nothing, clinging harder to Legolas. He pulled back his cloak so the healer could do his job. "I'm going to have to touch you, penneth, to find out where your hurts are and how badly they feel. Does this hurt?" Elrohir asked quietly as he gently reached down and prodded her side.
"Oow! Stop!" Alasse cried and shriveled into a ball, hiding her face in Legolas's side.
"I am sorry." Elrohir bit his lip sympathetically. "Anywhere else?" Alasse quickly shook her head. "Gandalf is right, Legolas. At least four of her ribs are broken. I need to examine her more closely to assess any more damage." He carefully felt her limbs which were in tact though bruised, but when he pressed her middle, she whimpered. "I'm not finding any internal bleeding, but we will watch carefully for that. I am not finding any large, grievous wounds though."
"Thank Eru..." Legolas whispered. He would've completely lost it if he'd found Alasse covered in blood.
"We'll have to be very cautious."
"'Ro, how did you find my father? What status was he in when he left?" Legolas asked worriedly.
"Six broken ribs, nasty cuts, and massive bruising. He was really dazed, and he is at risk for internal bleeding." Elrohir explained. "And he has a concussion."
"Ada is badly hurt?" Alasse cried.
"He's hurt, but he is very strong." Elrohir smiled at her. "Kili is incredibly weak. His lungs sound terrible. He has a severe case of pneumonia. It's going to be touch and go with him as we head back."
"Hannon le." Legolas breathed, then his eyes fell on Bilbo. "Master Baggins, I...I...I don't know how to thank you."
"Oh, I didn't do all that much." Bilbo shrugged.
"Yes, you did! You found her, and when they may have escaped our eyes and done away with her! Words cannot express my relief! I am eternally grateful to you."
"I was glad I was there." Bilbo smiled warmly then looked down at the princess. She was clinging to her brother and looked sickly, for an elf. "I only wish I could've done more sooner."
"As do we all." Legolas agreed. He glanced at Bofur and Gloin. "Thank you, for everything you've done." He told them.
"We wouldn't leave a child in the hands of devils." Gloin said gruffly. At that statement, Alasse cried more. Legolas shushed her, rocking her back and forth. Elrohir gave Alasse some herbs which she grumbled at eating, then bound her frame with bandages.
"Poor thing. Come, let's get out of this awful place." He said.
Legolas stood up carefully. "Rest now, darling. I'm taking you to Ada." He smiled.
