RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: The characters from Lord of the Rings and their wonderful world are borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. The plotline and all other characters are copyright 2002 Emily (emi_kins@yahoo.com)

7.

"This is not the usual Orc-poison," said Elrond as he inspected Elenath's wound again. She had fallen unconscious moments before as he had finished the healing chants, and he shook his head. "Her condition is grave. Far too grave for my liking, but I can do nothing more. Merethiel?"

"Y-yes, Grandfather?" she stood next to him, her gaze fixed to the ground where Calmakil now lay, her anger having been smothered by the sight of her cousin and best friend lying motionless on the floor.

"Find her parents, Child. Make haste." He hesitated a long moment before adding, "They will want to say goodbye."

All of the color drained from her face, and she ran for the door.

"Wait!"

Stopping at once and turning around, she was surprised to see the hint of tears in Elrond's regal eyes. Her own voice was choked with fear and grief. "Yes?"

"I…" he took both of her hands into his. "I am sorry for…" With that, he shook his head and took her into his arms. "I love you, Merethiel. You are my granddaughter, and I promise you that my intentions were good."

"I know," she whispered before turning and fleeing down the hall.

Elrond knelt next to Elenath, his tears finally overflowing and spilling down his cheeks. No sound escaped him as he gently lifted her from the floor and held her tightly in his arms. After a moment, he sat upon his throne again, cradling her like a baby in his arms as the Prince of Mirkwood stood watching in silence.

Their eyes met then – the Lord of Rivendell and the Prince of Mirkwood. Legolas' heart wrung with guilt, and he quickly cast his gaze aside and down at the floor.



"This is not your fault," said Elrond, "and she would tell you as much if she were able."

"If not for me, she would not have been abroad this day."

The elder Elf chuckled sadly. "Do not be so sure of that, Prince Legolas." He gazed at his granddaughter with great sorrow in his eyes, "She has a free spirit, this one."

"Is there no hope?"

"There is always hope, even if it is very little."

At that moment, her parents rushed into the room, their eyes haunted with some untold tale of their past. It was apparent to Legolas that this Elven couple had been through this before.

"Oh, my precious daughter," Llilwen whispered as she knelt at her father's side, caressing Elenath's silken cheek. "What have you done?"

Airedolas, Elenath's father, stood beside his wife, his face a mask of shock as if he could not believe this was happening. Not again. "By the moon and stars, Elrond. What has happened?"

"Orcs. May the Valar help her, they used grimleaf."

"Grimleaf?" Legolas' face paled. "Are you certain?"

"I am," replied Elrond.

"But that would mean-"

"It means that the Orcs had Elvish help!" Merethiel burst out as she came through the door. Grimleaf was grown only in the protected Wood of Lothlorien and was used in many powerful healing mixtures. By itself, however, it was a deadly poison. "Who would dare? I'll… I'll kill them myself!"