It was mid afternoon when Gandalf could finally see the edge of the valley of Imladris. "Ahh, we are here at last." He announced. Legolas panted with relief. Elladan and Elrohir came riding up the path to meet them. "Elladan, Elrohir!" Gandalf greeted them.
"Mithrandir, you made it!" Elladan bowed. The twins rushed over to Legolas who nodded to his troops to set Alasse on the ground. "Legolas, for once, you're in one piece!" Elladan teased him.
"Pfft. Yeah." Legolas nodded.
"How is Alasse?" Elrohir asked, already checking on her.
"We ran into a band of Orcs after you left." Legolas replied glumly. "One of them caught her and hurt her. She was slowly healing, until the ambush. Then everything got worse."
"Well, her pulse is steady." Elrohir said encouragingly. "But Ada should see her as soon as possible."
"We'll take her." Elladan said. Legolas nodded to his men then gratefully followed the twins. At last, they were all safe!
"Legolas, I wish to look in on Fili and Kili, and your father. You go with your sister." Gandalf told him when they entered the Homely House. Glorfindel greeted the Mirkwood elves and led them to their guest chambers.
"Tell Ada I will see him as soon as I am able." Legolas said to Gandalf. He was concerned about his father. He had not seen him since the rescue. He hoped Thranduil had been faring better than they had! Legolas gripped Alasse's shoulders. "Alasse? Wake up, love. We're here! We're safe now. We're in Rivendell. Come on."
The moment the twins returned to tell Elrond that Gandalf and Legolas were back, Elrond had marched straight to the healing wing, and just in time. Legolas trotted inside, carrying Alasse in his arms."Lord Elrond! I've brought my sister, Sir." Legolas said with relief. They'd finally made it! "Please help her."
"Lay her here on the bed, Legolas." Elrond instructed calmly. He'd been waiting for them. Legolas gently set the elfling on the work table, Alasse wincing as he did. Legolas took a step back, giving the healer some room as he came forward. Alasse's languid eyes widened in fright.
"Legolas, don't go away! Don't leave me!" She begged, looking up at him frantically.
"I won't, darling." Legolas smiled warmly. "I'll stay right here. I'm not going to leave you, I promise."
Elrond's healer eyes scanned over the little elf girl. She looked exhausted and shaken. As far as he could tell, he didn't see any blood anywhere on her. That was great news. But he hadn't checked fully yet. And according to the reports from everyone else, she was hurt worse than she appeared. But so far, all of her limbs seemed to be working properly. That was one relief. "How are you feeling, Alasse?" Elrond asked softly, touching her small hand and monitoring her pulse.
"I want to see Ada!" Alasse moaned pitifully.
"You will shortly, dear, after my examination." Elrond patted her head. "But first I have to check you over. Legolas tells me you got hurt. I want to make sure you're well enough to see your father." Alasse looked at her brother worriedly and shook her head.
"I don't want to be examined." She whimpered frightfully.
"I know, darling. But it will help Lord Elrond make you better." Legolas assured her.
"No." Alasse cried, hiding her face from the elf lord and scooting back away from him, wincing as she did and hugging herself.
"Alasse, you need to stay still, sweetling, and let Elrond have a look at you." Legolas insisted, moving closer to her. Alasse covered her face with her hands and started shivering. She'd never been this afraid of Elrond before, and it couldn't have come at a worse time! She curled up near Legolas as he rubbed her arms.
"Would you like Legolas to hold you?" Elrond suggested kindly. Alasse nodded quickly. Legolas shifted onto the table so he was sitting upright, cradling Alasse's head in his lap and stroking her hair. He massaged her shoulder warmly. She was still shedding tears, but the trembling lessened. She was still staring warily up at Elrond.
"Alasse, it's okay. Lord Elrond is our friend. Remember? He only wants to help you." Legolas said. Alasse looked up at Elrond with tears and hid her face again. Then it dawned on Legolas. "Alasse, is it because he has dark hair?" He asked pensively.
"Yes!" Alasse mewed. Elrond frowned in confusion. What had he done?
"Devlin, the ringleader, and a few of his accomplices had hair like you do, Sir." Legolas explained. "I think she's associating the resemblance to the danger."
"Oh. I see." Elrond nodded sympathetically. He had to regain the child's trust before he could help her heal. "Would it put your mind at ease, Alasse, if I have my boys dye my hair blue? Or maybe even pink?" He asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
"What?" Alasse blinked, confused.
"If you cannot stand my dark hair, I am afraid there is no other choice but to change it completely." Elrond sighed dramatically, shaking his head.
"But...you won't look like Lord Elrond anymore." Alasse furrowed her brows.
"Ahh, that is quite true, young one. But I am willing to put myself through such torture, if it will help you to not be afraid of me." Elrond smiled kindly.
"No. I guess...you can look like Lord Elrond. I don't want you to get tortured!" Alasse told him.
"I am so relieved. I was so afraid I was going to have to follow through with it! And then everyone would laugh at me." Elrond 'shuddered'. Legolas snorted. "If I promise to be gentle, will you let me touch you?"
"You promise?"
"I promise." Elrond nodded. "I only wish to help you."
"Okay..." Alasse gulped and looked up at Legolas. He nodded reassuringly to her and she slightly relaxed. Legolas was her big brother. He would never let anyone hurt her! If Legolas was here, then she was safe."Is Ada okay?" She asked.
"Yes, dear one. He is alright." Elrond smiled soothingly. "He's hurt too, but he's resting and he will mend. Have no fear."
"They were so mean to him. They said awful things about Ada. And then they hurt him!"
"We know, child. But they will not be doing it anymore."
"And Fili and Kili? Are they going to be alright too?" Alasse asked hopefully.
"So many questions! Ai, lass. Those two will be just fine." Gandalf chuckled as he appeared. "Those ruffians should've known better than to toy around with two sons of Durin, and most certainly not with the nephews of Thorin Oakenshield!"
"They tried to save me, when Ada couldn't." Alasse rambled. Her pulse was still rapid, and she couldn't seem to stop talking and Elrond needed her to calm down."Is Kili getting well?" She spoke up again.
"Yes, he is almost completely recovered." Gandalf answered.
"He was so sick. But his big brother took good care of him, just like Legolas took care of me. Fili is a good brother." Alasse told them.
"That is fine, but you must calm down for me, child. Okay? Alasse, I need to check you now." Elrond said seriously. "I'm going to have to feel around, and it might hurt. Alright?" Alasse looked up at Legolas.
"Leggi, don't let him hurt me," She pleaded.
"Lord Elrond is just trying to help you, darling. Not hurt you." Legolas said reassuringly."But you need to tell him everywhere that you are feeling discomfort, alright? The sooner he can help you, the sooner you can see Ada!"
"Yes, he really wants to see you, child. He misses you very much," Gandalf added.
"Okay." Alasse bit her lip nervously.
"You can hold my hand if you want." Legolas offered. Alasse gladly took it, just in case.
"Where do you feel the most bad?" Elrond asked. Alasse grimaced. She didn't want to be touched. It hurt already, she didn't want to hurt more. "It's alright, dear. I only want to know so that I can help you feel better faster."
"Right here." Alasse mumbled, holding her sides. Elrond nodded and gently prodded around on her body.
"Alasse, how does that feel?" Elrond asked while gingerly checking her ribs.
"Ooww! Don't touch it! It hurts!" Alasse flinched, nearly jumping up.
"I'm sorry, little one." Elrond sighed. He scowled indignantly at the thought anyone could contemplate wanting to harm a child! "Can you take a deep breath for me?" Alasse obeyed. "Thank you. When was the last time you ate food, child?" He inquired.
"I...don't know." Alasse groaned.
"You don't know?" Legolas's hackles stood on end.
"I don't remember." Alasse shook her head.
"That's alright. You don't have to." Elrond assured her. "Can you move your arms and legs for me?" Alasse wiggled her limbs before hugging herself again. "Good." Elrond smiled. "Does your head ache?"
"Uh uh." Alasse shook her head. "They hit Ada on the mouth! And he was bleeding!" She suddenly shuddered at the memory. Legolas cringed angrily. Not only had they beaten his father, but they'd made his sister watch!
"That's awful." Elrond nodded. "But he isn't anymore. He's cleaned up and safe in bed."
"Can I see him, please?"
"Soon, love. Soon." Legolas said soothingly.
"Alasse, I have to see where you got hurt." Elrond said. Alasse gaped at him and curled in on herself. She shook her head.
"I don't want to." She whimpered.
"Legolas may help, if that makes you feel better." Elrond told her. Alasse was embarrassed. She didn't want to remove her clothes! "I just need you to unclasp and open your dress for me, but you don't have to take it off." Alasse sighed with relief. Legolas carefully assisted her in opening the dress and rubbed her shoulder. Elrond lifted her shift and removed the bandages that Gandalf and Oin had wrapped around her. Alasse moaned as she had to sit up for him to unroll the bandages. Elrond frowned darkly when he saw her bruised torso. The ones on her little stomach were slowly fading, but he saw a large new one too, and her rib-cage looked absolutely terrible. Alasse looked away, blushing with embarrassment. Legolas's jaw dropped with rage. Gandalf shook his head, his normally genial face clouding over stormily. "Alasse, what did they do to you?" Elrond asked seriously. He was glad he had chosen to wait to face down those punks. Oh, they would rule the day when he went to punish them! Alasse's lip trembled.
"It's okay, sweetling." Legolas forced himself to say softly, biting down hard on the anger that was making blood rush through his ears. "You must tell us. It's important, so that they don't hurt anyone else!"
"They kicked me. I screamed for Ada, but he didn't come! I asked them to stop, but they just kept kicking me and kicking me. I was so scared!" Alasse started to cry again, shivering. Yes, the Orc had hurt her, but her memories were stuck with Devlin and Malcolm and what they had done. Legolas stroked her face.
"Don't cry, Tithen muinthel. They're going to be punished. They're in very big trouble!" He promised. Very big trouble!
"Alasse, I need to feel your belly to make sure they didn't hurt you more. Just relax, it will only take a minute." Elrond assured her. Alasse gripped Legolas's hand while the healer carefully ran his hands over her small stomach. She flinched from the touch. "Does that hurt?"
"No." Alasse said quickly.
"Then why did you whimper, darling?" Legolas asked. Alasse looked away, blushing. "It did hurt, didn't it? Alasse, you need to tell Lord Elrond everything. You'll be here longer if you don't." Alasse tried to bite back tears. She wanted her ada so much and she didn't like being exposed this way! She just wanted it to be over. "Just tell the truth, love." Legolas said more gently.
"It...did hurt. A little." Alasse mumbled timidly. Elrond nodded and continued to feel around. He knew it was much more than a little.
"How about here?" He asked.
"Mmm-hmm."
"Well, I am not finding any internal injuries, Legolas, other than the damage to her ribs. Bruising, yes, but nothing ruptured." Elrond said."Elrohir, bring a gown for Alasse." Elrond rubbed her wrist."Alasse, I need to put some healing salve on your broken ribs. It won't hurt, and it will heal them quickly."
"Then I can see Ada?" Alasse asked eagerly.
"Almost, child." Elrond nodded. He placed a large, gentle hand on her bare stomach and quietly whispered a healing spell over her. "How does that feel now?" He asked.
"It...doesn't hurt very much anymore!" Alasse beamed.
"I am glad to hear that." Elrond smiled. "Once I apply the ointment, Legolas may change you into a hospital gown. After that, and I give you some medicine, you may see your ada."
"I can?"
"Yes."
"Well, I shall go and see if I can put our hard-headed king's mind to rest." Gandalf pasted a smile.
Elrohir handed his father the jar of salve and Elrond ever so softly massaged it onto Alasse's ribs. She had been afraid it would hurt, but Elrond was so gentle that his ministrations were most comforting. Alasse actually relaxed with a sigh. Elrond noted this and smiled with satisfaction. She would come through just fine! "I will go prepare the medicine now." Elrond said as he made his way over to one of the shelves. Legolas bowed gratefully to Elrohir for the gown and gingerly helped his little sister change her clothes. She wept with small tears as he finished tying it in the back.
"What's the matter, darling?" He asked, concerned.
"I'm worried." Alasse hung her head. "About seeing Ada."
"Aww. Don't cry, Alasse." Legolas said. "Ada is alright. And you will see him shortly."
"Will you take me?" Alasse looked up pleadingly at her brother.
"Of course, love." Legolas rubbed her head, and kissed her hair.
Gandalf had informed Thranduil on Alasse's condition, and now the colossal elf was giving Estel a difficult time, trying to get out of bed while Estel protested. "Out of my way, Estel!" Thranduil growled.
"Nuh uh!" Estel shook his head firmly, pushing hard on the elder elf's shoulders. He accidentally kneed Thranduil in the middle, earning a gasp and Thranduil fell back in the bed. "You are going to stay in bed." Estel said firmly with his arms crossed.
"Just who do you think you are, to order me around? Little goblin?" Thranduil narrowed his eyes.
"Ada left me to take care of you. So that means I am the healer in charge! So, you have to do what I tell you." Estel declared with a tone of finality.
"I don't take orders from anyone, especially mortal shrimps." Thranduil huffed.
"Very well then." Estel sighed in frustration. "We'll have to do this the hard way." Thranduil fought not to laugh. Estel was ever the miniature Elrond, at least when it came to taking his healing profession too seriously.
"What do you think you're doing?" Thranduil asked suspiciously.
"If you can't behave, then I must take drastic measures." The 10-year-old said coldly, grabbing a bottle of medicine and a spoon.
"The price will be on your head, little one, if you even think you will be able to force me to take that!" Thranduil threatened. Estel scowled.
"You have to take it."
"Be gone, you most exasperating child!" Thranduil growled, sitting up straighter.
"You are a very bad patient." Estel said sternly. "Don't make me go get my Ada! Then you'll be in for it."
"Ohh, I quiver with fear!" Thranduil rolled his eyes, sneering.
"Are you going to cooperate, or must I send for the healing patrol?" Estel glowered darkly.
"Whatever. So...you think you can just order me around, as if you were the master of the house himself, do you?" Thranduil said cockily.
"Okay." Estel shook his head, fed up. "I tried to go easy on you, but you leave me no choice. Just don't come crying to me when Ada ties you to the bed!"
"Don't worry. I won't." Thranduil smirked.
"So, how is our young Kili?" Gandalf asked as he strode over to the bed.
"Much better, now that I have a real bed to sleep in!" Kili answered happily.
"His fever's broken and he's quickly regaining his appetite." Oin said triumphantly.
"That's nothing new." Fili teased his brother.
"He has some nasty bruises and he'll be sore for a while, but he's strong. I think he'll heal just fine." Elladan added. "But he'll have to stay in bed for four days."
"That does sound good." Kili smiled.
"He's going to be spoiled rotten if you prissy elves keep pampering him to death." Thorin rolled his eyes. Elladan shrugged it off.
"Don't blame me, blame my father. I got it from him." He said casually, then quietly shuffled out, giving the dwarves some privacy.
"You really are quite a remarkable dwarf." Gandalf said proudly, ruffling Kili's messy hair. He'd been bathed, cleaned up, and fed, but his dark locks were as unruly as ever.
"How is the king?" Dwalin asked, begrudgingly.
"Resting up. He was battered a great deal, but he is formidable a figure as I have ever known. And as stubborn as the worst dwarf!"
"Tell me about it!" Fili exclaimed. "And I thought Uncle was mule-headed!"
"I'll remind you of that the next time I put you on kitchen duty." Thorin snickered.
"And the princess?" Kili asked Gandalf anxiously.
"Yes, how is the little lass?" Balin echoed him.
"Can they help the little darling?" Fili added.
"Ai, they did." Gandalf nodded.
"How is she?" Bilbo asked in a serious tone.
"Alive. The poor child was injured by those foul souls, and then that wretched Orc creature. But Lord Elrond says it is nothing that will not heal." Gandalf smiled.
"Thank Mahal!" Fili sighed. "The poor thing was scared stiff, especially when she tried to save her father. I just wanted to wring the necks of those b-s when they laid their dirty hands on her!"
"Oh, they will get what is coming to them." Thorin growled. "Make no mistake about that!"
"Ada!" Estel groaned loudly when he found his father heading to meet the Mirkwood elves.
"Why, what is the matter, my son?" Elrond half grinned at how sulky the boy looked.
"He's impossible. Just impossible." Estel muttered.
"Who?"
"That odious King Thranduil, that's who! He won't listen to a word I say. He tried to get out of bed, Ada. When you told him he shouldn't. He was going to disobey you. I tried to stop him, but he is so stubborn. I tried to give him medicine so he would cooperate but that didn't work. He's just a big baby." Estel pouted. Elrond had to cover his mouth with his hands to force himself not to burst out laughing. The image of little Estel trying to talk down the large, intimidating elf king was hilarious!
"Now, son, that is not very respectful." Elrond forced himself to get firm.
"But it's true." Estel glowered. "'Ro says that most true things we say about other people aren't respectful."
"Yes, well..." Elrond coughed. "Why don't you go and see how Kili is?"
"But I want to see Alasse! I've missed her and I wanted to see if she was okay."
"She will be. Do as I say, son. She may see her after Legolas takes her to Thranduil." Elrond said. "He hasn't seen her since before the rescue, and I think they deserve some time alone, don't you?"
"Yeah." Estel sighed.
"My friend, there is someone here to see you." Gandalf told Thranduil cheerfully. Thranduil gave him a pointed look until the door opened. Legolas walked in, carefully carrying Alasse in his arms. Her face lit up when she saw her father. "Ada!" She cried joyfully, eagerly reaching her arms out.
"My princess..." Thranduil breathed with tears. Legolas came to the side of the bed and gently lay Alasse next to his father. She tried to scramble up his chest but the pain in her sides stopped her.
"Easy, Tithen muinthel." Legolas said, chuckling. "Lord Elrond said you need to rest, remember?"
"Let's try this." Thranduil suggested. He gingerly shifted Alasse so that she was snuggled up against his side and he placed his long arm around her. "Is that better?"
"Yes. Ada, you have bandages! I have bandages too!"
"Well then, we make quite the pair now, don't we?" Thranduil joked, though he was secretly angered that she needed bandages at all! That should never have happened!
"Are you okay, Ada?" Alasse asked sadly. "You're crying. Are you hurting too?"
"No, sweetling. Yes. I'm fine, now that you're here." Thranduil cradled her close to himself. None of the jewels in all of Middle Earth could have bought this moment for him, and the balm it brought to his soul! His children were both safe and with him right now. He had his little girl back! She was alive, safe, right here in his arms! His baby was still alive! Alasse rested her head on his firm chest and sighed happily.
"I love you, Ada." She murmured. And with that, she fell instantly to sleep. Thranduil leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"And I love you, my precious daughter." He whispered. He looked up at Legolas. "Thank you, Legolas." He smiled warmly. Legolas took his hand. Fluffy quietly climbed up onto the bed and rested his head on the king's knee.
