Disclaimer.
Although a couple of these folks grew up in my head, most of them are lucky enough to belong to one Mister Tolkien, I'm just making them do stuff. Most probably against their will.

Wow, this chapter was hard work. It's also the longest so far I think and there is still no slash, slush or anything beyond a U rating. I keep saying that this may change in the future. But it will be a while I think.

A batch of fresh baked cyber muffins to any reviewers. Mmm, smell those muffins!


Chapter Four, Worst And Best.

When Legolas awoke, he was alone on the rooftop. From the sun's position in the sky he judged it to be nearing noon. Doubtless the others had thought it best to let the weary traveller sleep. He sat up and stretched, feeling remarkably well rested for one whose bed had been the hard floor.

Climbing back inside, Legolas called out, Aewen? I am awake at last! Elladan? but no voice came back in answer. As he moved further into the room, he saw a breakfast tray had been left for him. Various sliced fruits were laid out upon it, and soft, sweet bread, and water. His name was handscrawled on a small attached note. Picking up the paper, he called out again, Elrohir? Is everyone gone? and chuckled at the silence that greeted his cries. It seems I have been abandoned here. he observed as he sat and helped himself from the tray.

In her note, Aewen apologised for leaving her guest, having much to do that morning, and reminded him that he had the freedom of the City if he wished to reacquaint himself with it. She also gave instructions as to which room had been prepared for him, and it was there that he went after eating, to wash and to change the clothes he wore, which were heavy and still caked in the dust of the road.

Thus it was some two hours before Legolas emerged, refreshed, from the tower of Elbereth. His hair now hung unbound about his shoulders, reflecting the brightness of the silver tunic of elven silk he wore, a gift from Lorien long ago.

He felt lighter, and more like himself than he had in many long days, with a good night's sleep behind him, no pack to carry and no bow at his back, so it was with quick, easy steps that he set forth into the City in search of Elladan and Elrohir.

It was later in the day, as the heat of the afternoon sun was beginning to wane, that Aewen made her way toward the palace. Her duties for the day taken care of, she meant to sit and talk a while with her sister Mirarnor, who would be returning to the Northern City the next day.

At the doors of the Citadel, she turned and looked back across the City. The white walls of her high home were turned to rust by the rays of the slowly setting sun, and she smiled, wondering if the blond elf slumbered still atop her tower.

In the next second though, that smile flew from her lips. Bells rang out all around her, and the Princess turned on her heels, for she knew the peal of those bells as a signal to the City's healers. There was sickness in the house of the King.

A few moments that passed as hours in her mind took Aewen to the doors of her Brother's apartments. There she found Eldarion, kneeling at the side of his youngest son, Elamir. The boy's face was drained of its colour, and his shirt had been torn apart to reveal a gash at his side, to which the king tended. A bowl of water was placed beside him, and the steam from it carried the sweet smell of the Athelas plant through the room. There was no movement in the boy's body, even the rise and fall of his chest was stilled.

Such a small wound it was, Aewen saw, and it looked not deep. There was more in the boy's sickness than this cut.

She started as a hand was laid upon her shoulder, then in a low voice Legolas began to explain what had occurred. It seemed he had been with the King when the lad was found. He is infected with Orc poison. I fear it works quickly upon him, though your brother does much to quell it.

Aewen questioned, she could see the eyes of the wood elf were greatly troubled. She saw the likelihood of her nephews death in those azure pools.

Their weaponry. Eldarion spoke without looking up from his ministrations. Anger mingled with the fear in his voice, there had been no response to his medicines thus far. Taken from the group slain by the walls two weeks ago. It was kept in the Palace for we meant to study it's nature, but Elamir decided to make his own investigations. Fool! He shook his son, trying to elicit a reaction, a cry, anything to show he lived, Have I not told you their foul metals are dipped in poison!

But the boy's body lay still, his eyes so far back in his head that only the whites were visible beyond their half opened lids.

This is beyond me! The King cried in despair, I have little knowledge of these Orc poisons. It is over. He dropped his head into his hands in grief. To the other side of the room, Mirarnor held Eldarion's wife, Hala, sobbing in her arms.

It was at this time, when all hope was thought lost, that Elladan and Elrohir made their arrival at the palace, ahead of the healers from the City's third circle. Their Father had been called a master of healing for no small cause, and they both had learnt much from him, and seen many wounds such as this one.

Dropping to the side of the stricken lad, where moments before the King had ceased his futile labours, Elrohir pressed his fingers hard into the wound. Elamir moaned and tiny tremors coursed through his body, but it was proof that he was yet alive.

Propelled by this small hope, Aewen moved to her Brother's side, and he clutched her arm so tight she thought his grip would tear her skin.

Elrohir rubbed his bloodied fingers together, seeking with his eyes for traces of the black poison. It has gone deep. He muttered. In the next moment a small blade was in his hands, he moved forward and cut into the boy's flesh.

Hala cried out then, and made as if to pull her son away from the knife, but Elladan was quick to restrain her. Leave him. He knows what he does. This is a burrowing poison, a clean wound can far easier be healed.

Indeed Elrohir had expertly cut out a large section of the wound. Blood pooled in the deepened injury, but there was no blackness in it.

Elladan joined his Brother then, and the twin elf Lords offered up a prayer as one.
Varda, lasto peth lammen
Holle i haru
Hortha i nestad
daur i naeg
echad faen i morn
si um ast aen
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
The cut flesh withered to dust in Elrohir's hands. Colour began to steal back into the boy's face, and he breathed normally, though still lay numb with shock and pain.

This wound is within your skill to heal. Elrohir told the King and the healers who were at the door. He will not now die from it.

As the healers applied a compress to the young prince's side, Eldarion embraced both the elf Lords who had saved his son. What you have done shall never be forgotten, Sons of Elrond. I, and my City will ever be in your debt. Please, accompany my son to the houses of healing? There clean clothes will be found for you both, and aught else that you desire.

The brothers gladly went with Mirarnor and Hala as Elamir was carried to the houses of healing. The praises and thank you's offered by the Queen could be heard even as they passed into the street.

The King turned then to his youngest sister, and he held her in his arms. I thought he was lost to us, thel. I thought all my prayers were made in vain.

I too. Aewen whispered, her cheek was pressed against his and her voice was tremulous, There is nothing that can hold as much horror as the spilt blood of kin. But our prayers were answered, Brother. Our faith was rewarded. He will live.

I know. he kissed her forehead, I know.

Releasing Aewen, Eldarion moved to shake Legolas by the hand. I must thank you for your strength and calm, when I could not be so. It was the Prince of the Wood who had raised the alarm and kept a steady head to explain what had occurred to those who came to help. The King leant closer to Legolas, May I ask you to watch over my sister for a time. I see she is shaken by this, as I am.

The elf nodded, and the King took his leave, hurrying after his wife and son.

Legolas took Aewen to another room, where the blood of her Nephew did not stain the floors. She trembled like a leaf in his arms, and he rocked her gently against him, soothing her until the shivers lessened.

Never have I felt so helpless. She said finally, Unable to do aught but pray. Elamir should have died were my Uncles not with us.

Their knowledge of such poisons is indeed unparalleled. said Legolas, Learnt no doubt from bitter experience, as they both carry Orc scars of their own. I regret that I lack skill at healing, it is the most revered of gifts.

My Brother has such a gift, Aewen said, as did my Father, and indeed all the Kings of his line, but that blood runs not it me it seems. Come, Legolas, will you walk with me? I wish to go outside.

Legolas agreed, For there is a matter about which I greatly wish to speak to you.

The evening air revived Aewen substantially, and she was soon leading Legolas along the high City walls, using the vantage point to draw his attention to what had changed, been built or rebuilt since his last visit to Gondor. At last they reached the walkway above the great gate, and she stopped, and turned to him with a smile.

Now, what subject did you wish to broach with me, Legolas?

Lady, I wanted to inform you of my plans. I shall be returning to my Kingdom, Eryn Lasgalen. Our conversation of last night settled it in my mind. I must know what has become of my home and my people. I hope to stay in your City two weeks more, and make preparations.

Aewen nodded, That is fine, you are welcome here as long as you wish.

Two weeks will be long enough, I think. Legolas said. I spoke to Elladan and Elrohir earlier, and they have agreed to accompany me on the journey.

Though her smile remained in place, Legolas caught a flicker of disappointment in the eyes of the Princess, she had hoped for more time with her own folk, it would be another century perhaps before she saw them again. It...it will be better than travelling alone. she said.

Indeed. So the King said also, when I spoke to him of it.

You have informed my Brother then. Aewen said. So it was that solid a plan.

I have. We talked long together before our minds were taken up with more urgent matters, and he agreed with me that three elven Lords, archers and swordsmen alike, would be a more than sufficient guard for any lady of Gondor, should she wish to travel with them. Sufficient, even, for his own sister.

Aewen's eyes grew wide at Legolas' words, and she caught his hands in hers, not believing what he said.

And so, Lady, Legolas continued, I wished only to ask you if it was in your heart to join us on this journey. It will be long enough, perhaps thirty days if we keep up a pace, but the going should not be too hard, and there will be much to see upon the way.

Is it in my heart? the Princess cried, Why every part of my being has long yearned for an adventure such as this, my heart not least! Will we pass Fangorn Forest, and see East Lorien?

We shall, and if it pleases you, your uncles shall escort you home by a different route, when you choose to return.

It pleases me! Aewen sang out, and the guards at the gate looked up to see who made such a sound, Oh how the worst of days can become the best! And my brother has heard all this, and is agreed?

He is agreed. Legolas said again, and laughed to see Aewen's youthful happiness. Hands joined, they spun together there atop the walls of the City until dizziness broke them apart.

You make the world feel new to me once more. Legolas whispered, but Aewen heard him not, for she sat laughing where she had fallen, her head swaying as the sky still spun about her.

Once Aewen was back upon her feet, Legolas found his hand gripped by her once more, and she pulled him down the steps into the City. Come, I must find my Brother and thank him for this, and see how Elamir fares, and if my Uncle's heads are swollen yet, from all Queen Hala's praises!

Thus, laughing, the two elves ran into the City, and disappeared in the evening shadows.


Notes on this chapter:

I don't speak Sindarin, and I'm sure my translation leaves a lot to be desired, but here is what I was aiming for.

Varda, lasto peth lammen
Varda, Hear my words
Holle i haru
close the wound
Hortha i nestad
speed the healing
daur i naeg
Stop the pain
echad faen i morn
Make bright the blackness
si um ast aen
now evil is dust.
A Elbereth Gilthoniel

thel
short for gwathel meaning sister.