A/N: Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you all for Constructive
Criticism!!!!! And a *very* special thanks to CG/MD for telling me that I
spelled The All Wonderful J.R.R. Tolkien's name wrong!!! *wails* I'll never
forgive myself!!! Oh, and in this chap I'm going to copy so many authors
and put Elvish in 'single quotes.' Okay? Okay! And I think I might make
this an L/A, maybe... I'm not sure.
Disclaimer: why do I insist on putting one of these bloody things in every single one of my chapters? *sighs* oh well. *ahem* Lord of the Rings in general belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien *drools some more on Tolkien's shoes with wide, freakily admiring eyes* and no profit is being made from this. *sweatdrop* so just... look, to put it easily, if you sued me you'd, err, how should I say this? Waste unnecessary money on court? Throw a poor student that drools over some dead guy's shoes out on the street? I think I'll leave it there.
Chapter Started: 04/11/03 Chapter Finished: 4/1203
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two days of riding nonstop later, in the forest of Mirkwood, maybe three days, two and a half days left to reach the wood elves' realm, riding nonstop, of course. ^_^ but our six plus elrond plus two healers equals nine heroes have been taking breaks for the Hobbits and horses and rest, to be ready to take care of Legsy-legly when they got there. This chap takes place in the middle of day three, k? not raining no more, though there are ominous clouds and the rolling of thunder...
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The six galloped hard that afternoon, though they were at a slightly slower pace, being in the forest now. It appeared that the forest rather disliked their presence. How? Only Manwë knows... and maybe Eru Iluvetar, but he doesn't count.
ANYHOOT,
They were galloping hard and as fast as they could, and Pippin was just about to say something about lunch (his pony was rather fat, so lagged behind the others) when Elrond held up a hand and stopped. They all followed suit.
Other hoof beats could be heard - coming towards them.
Wordlessly, Aragorn drew the bow that he had conveniently put on his back, and notched an arrow.
Suddenly, a white mare burst through the thick shrubbery, galloping at full speed until she saw the six blocking her way, so therefore stopped. There were two dark-cloaked figures on her. One tall, and strong looking - his features were hidden by the cloak, and he was holding onto the other in front of him with one hand around his chest. The other was slumped, and harsh, labored breathing rasped passed his lips. A strand of golden hair could be seen on this one, but otherwise he, too, was disguised by the dark cloak enveloping him.
As soon as the strong rider saw the nine, he quickly pulled his hood off and said, "Lord Elrond? I beg the Valar that my eyes do not lie to me!"
He was blondish-brownish in hair color, hair reached a little past his shoulder blades and was braided with customary Mirkwood warrior/royalty/grown-up braids. His eyes were a startling blue, unlike Legolas', which were a stormy blue.
"Nay, Prince Elrymbor, they do not lie!" Elrond said. His eyes turned onto the seemingly weak one that 'Elrymbor' clutched close to him.
"is that...?" he started, but Elrymbor cut him off.
"This is my brother, Legolas - My Lord, his breathing is all that shows his resistance to the Halls of Mandos! We feared that you would not come in time, so I was going to bring him..." he trailed off, slipping from the panting mares back and pulling Legolas with him.
His hood fell partly away, revealing pale - almost translucent - skin, and a few more strands of blond hair. The two healers with Elrond laid down spare cloaks on the ground, and Elrymbor was quick to lay his brother on them. Everybody crowded around, waiting silently as Elrond dug through his bag of herbs with his healers and Aragorn & Elrymbor removed the cloak.
There were soft gasps. It looked as though Legolas hadn't eaten for years. His usually braided hair was free, and lay strewn beneath his head like a pale halo. His eyes were slightly cracked, and through the slits only complete gray could be seen. The tunic he was wearing was much too large for him, and when Elrymbor took it off, any suspicions of Legolas not eating were confirmed.
"Tell me his symptoms," Elrond said, tipping Legolas' head back and dripping some greenish liquid between his parched slightly parted lips.
"high fever, can't keep any sort of food or drink down for long, weakened muscles, struggled breathing, he's very exhausted but can rarely get a good sleep, sensitive skin - I swear if you tap it he'll bleed to death," Elrymbor paused, passing a finger down his brother's cheek. "dehydrated, Lord Elrond he is very dehydrated, lethargy, and that's all we can tell from the outside. The healer guessed there might be internal bleeding, but that one I doubt."
While he was saying all of this, Elrond was poking at Legolas, mixing things and coating his skin and lips in it, attempting to get him to swallow, and things along those lines. Currently he was peering into the blond archer's eyes, holding one lid open, then the other.
"Did he show any symptoms before he became ill?" Elrond asked. Elrymbor furrowed his brow. "What mean you by that?"
"I mean, did he have difficulty thinking or concentrating, seem irritable, silent, physically uncomfortable, sad or unhappy, or was there a disruption in his normal sleep pattern?"
Elrymbor thought a moment. "He did seem kind of quiet - more quiet than usual, I suppose. But I just figured that was because ada betrothed him to some elf in the far east. Legolas made it all too clear that he wasn't happy about that. I can't say I recall if I saw him sleeping or no, of course he was irritable, and I guess that that's pretty much it."
"did he have mood swings?"
"not that I am aware of."
Elrond tipped Legolas' head back and forced his jaw open, examining his mouth. "Did you see him cry at all?"
"What?" Elrymbor stared at Elrond as though he were crazy. "No offence, My Lord, but my brother hasn't cried since the day he was born. But as long as we're on the subject... Anythiel did reckon once she saw a tear - her own imagination if you ask me. and she always seemed certain that he cried himself to sleep every night. Again, I believe that was her imagination."
"May be yes, may be no," Elrond replied, then looked up at Elrymbor. "When did she start saying this?"
"a long while by now. I am not sure there. I think that she questioned him about it first for a while before coming to confront ada - she supposed it was because he had been betrothed. However, Anythiel never did get along with ada, nor Legolas, so it wouldn't surprise me if this was one of her ploys to get him out of the engagement. Besides, I can be certain that she started these stories long before the betrothal was made."
"What did he say when he was betrothed?"
"he swore at ada for a while and threatened to run away. After a couple of months he gave up on that one, though. Decided to accept his fate I'm thinking. Why do you ask this?"
Elrond sighed. "To me it looks and sounds like grief. But if he has been suffering from this before the betrothal, it must not have been that - though I do disapprove of Thranduil's lack of intelligence in matters such as these." He sighed.
"So is he going to die?" Merry asked.
"I don't know," Elrond replied gravely. "If we could cure him, that would be a miracle." But then he smiled around a little at their anxious faces. "Mayhap some friends and a brake from Mirkwood would be good for him. Prince Elrymbor?"
"Yes?" Elrymbor straightened up slightly. "I would like it if you could get your father and anybody or anything special to Legolas and come to Rivendell with them. He will only live by his choice."
"Yes m'lord," Elrymbor said, and a minute later he had taken off the way he came on the white mare.
Aragorn wrapped the cloak around Legolas again and hefted him onto his horse, then got up behind him. "We must hurry," Elrond said, also mounting his mount. The others followed suit.
"Crazy Elf," Gimli said, looking at Legolas' form. "Dying from depression - doesn't seem like something he'd do, though I wouldn't blame him for being angry at Thranduil for just engaging him like that." He shook his head. "Pansy elf, too. Doesn't he know that if he off and kills himself I wouldn't be his friend?"
Frodo laughed a little. "Aye, you'll have to bring your good friend back to us, Gimli!"
"Yea, then we can have the *real* feast!" Sam added.
"who is Anythiel, I wonder?" Merry asked. the others shrugged. "he mentioned her name once or twice when I was visiting here after the war. Perhaps she is his lady?"
"Ooh! Legolas has a wife! Legolas has a wife! Hey, then that would make sense because he got engaged to some other elf that he's never met before, but he wants to marry this Anythiel instead!"
"That does make sense," Aragorn put in, somewhat put-out that Legolas had been betrothed to somebody that he didn't know. "But Anythiel is his sister."
There was silence after that.
"Oh..."
"But still!" Sam argued at last, "the concept is the right one!"
"logical enough," Frodo agreed.
"the six of you are lagging behind!" Elrond called from in front of them. "Make haste! His life is in danger, in case you haven't noticed!"
......... haste was made after that.
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one week later, Rivendell, late evening
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the doors burst open and Thranduil, followed closely by the Crown Prince, the princess, and two other elves - one female and one male carrying a small bag each, and last but not least a young she-elf holding a little toddler elf on either hip.
"You asked the presence of myself and those special to my youngest son," Thranduil said stiffly once he was in Elrond's study. "How fares the prince? He has a wedding in a few more months."
"that is one of the things I wanted to talk to you about," Elrond said carefully, standing up. Glorfindel was there too, but he remained seated and silent.
"the young prince is suffering from a form of grief. From what I've found out, its been quite a while now, and your engaging him must have broken him."
"so you're saying I should call off the marriage."
"aye, for the time being at least."
"nay, Lord Elrond, I can do that not; we need this alliance. The king there has only one child, and Prince Elrymbor is already married. My Princess Anythiel is only thirty-seven and too young to marry. My youngest son knows that this is for the good of his kingdom and people."
"aye, but its killing him," Elrond snapped. "What are you going to do once you've murdered your own son, Thranduil?"
"I want to know why they had to come," Thranduil interrupted, waving a hand to those behind him. "Those Legolas spent more time around. Why?"
"To help bring him out of his depression," Elrond replied. "I would speak with you privately while they go to your son in the healing room. Lord Glorfindel, would you please accompany them?"
"aye Lord," Glorfindel said, standing up. Anythiel, the elf maid with the two sleeping babies on her hips, and the two unknown elves with the bags followed him out of the room and down the other side of the castle. There he pushed the door to the healing room open and walked down to the end where five were already gathered, quietly speaking. The bed they sat around was populated by an elf, who was sleeping with his eyes closed. The five were attempting to get him to wake up, but he didn't even part his lips unless he was nastily woken up and Glorfindel held him down while Elrond shoved something down his throat - every morning and every night a disgusting liquid settled his stomach enough to let him eat and drink without throwing it back up. There were complications to this, of course. That sometimes he just threw the medicine up, or refused to eat.
Hunger and a little bit of muscle on Glorfindel's part got him to swallow something, though, little as it was.
His eyes were a dulled grey, not the usual bright blue-gray, and his pupils were dilated whenever they were open. His friends around him were beginning to despair.
"Please, just say something!" Merry begged. "this unnerving! What, have you gone mute or something?"
"I think he's just sad cause his wife dumped him," Pippin put in consolingly.
"what makes you think his lady dumped him?" Frodo asked.
"what makes you think he *had* a lady OR wife period?" Anythiel interrupted, shoving Sam and Gimli aside to get to her brother better.
"Hoy, leaf-brain! Wake up!" she shouted, waving a hand in front of his face. "Up, I say! Up! Oh, you were always lazy," she sighed and snapped a finger right next to his ear. This finally got a reaction out of him, and he turned his head slightly and offered Anythiel a weak scowl after his eyelids parted.
She accepted it graciously.
"There, now we're getting somewhere!" she trilled while the five members of the fellowship present watched her in amazement. "shall we move on to something a bit harder? Okay, this'll take three agonizingly long steps - open your mouth, clench your teeth, and pull the corners of your lips to your ears."
When Legolas didn't comply, she gave an exasperated sigh.
"Fine," she snapped. "be that way. Its not like *I* went off and got all depressed and ended up almost dying. Really. See, and your baby sister even went through all the trouble of bringing those two brats you despise so much!"
she crossed her arms and scowled. "thank *you* for wasting my time!"
this time, he gave a small smile. "I apologize, Anythiel," he whispered. No, it was much too quiet to be considered a whisper. But the Elves heard it - and the others caught a small sound. His voice was hoarse and cracked, and it looked as though it pained him to speak.
"He speaks!" Gimli said. "It's about time, pansy elf! Not that I was worried - but you could have at least said something to *me*!"
Legolas turned his head again and looked at the remaining members of the Fellowship as though seeing them for the first time. 'What are you doing here?' he slurred slightly in Elvish.
"say what?" asked Sam.
"he wants to know what we're doing here," Frodo translated, then leaned forward, also speaking softly in the Sindarin he knew. 'What happened to you, my friend?' he murmured. 'what did anybody do to have you almost die from grief?'
'grief?' he echoed, somewhat louder. There was a moment of silence in which he wrinkled his brow. 'Oh. Yes. Somebody said something about that - who's dying from grief, again?'
"You are, bright one!" Anythiel said, poking him playfully. But her eyes betrayed her happiness and worry for him.
'Nay,' Legolas said stubbornly, quickly regaining his voice. 'I am not.'
"Speak in westron!" Gimli said. Legolas looked back at him again.
"Gimli," he muttered. It took him a few more moments to process the information he had been given. He turned his gaze to Glorfindel. 'I remember you making me swallow something,' he pointed out. Glofindel bowed. 'My thanks for remembering me, Young Lord!' he said. Legolas frowned, and closed his eyes.
There was a long while of silence, and they all began to think that he had fallen into his closed-eye sleep. Anythiel motioned the male elf over and opened the bag he had. She dug around in it for a second, then pulled out a few herbs. She ripped these in half and squeezed some sort of clear jelly out. Then she took the jelly stuff and waved it over her brother's head. "Hoy! HOY!" She shouted, and Legolas opened his eyes with a now not-so-weak scowl.
He noticed the goo on her hands and almost immediately woke up. "what did you bring that for?!?" he asked, unconsciously falling into Westron. Anythiel smiled innocently. "But I was so certain that it would bring back happy memories!"
"aye, it's brought back memories all right," he muttered, leaning away from her hand. She laughed. He groaned and laid back down, though, and brought up a hand to massage a temple.
"Hey," she murmured, suddenly worried. "Legolas?" Sam asked.
"I think that he's going to be sick," Merry put in helpfully.
"does anyone have a bucket?" Pippin asked, looking around.
"Don't be rediculous, he's only got a headache," Gimli snapped.
Frodo didn't say anything.
"dizzy," Legolas said, and let out a shaky sigh. "and tired."
"then sleep," Anythiel told him.
"aye," the elf maid with the babies said. "Want the brats to cuddle up with?"
'what?'
"your niece and nephew," Anythiel said, rolling her eyes. "unless you'd like to betray your brother and cuddle up with his wife instead..." the she- elf behind her dropped the two kids on Legolas' lap and scowled at Anythiel. "I hardly find that funny, princess," she scolded.
"Well *I* find it funny," Anythiel replied innocently.
The other five were more interested in watching their companion and the two toddlers, who had all three been woken up. Nothing was said. The blond looked at the two of them, then just closed his eyes again. He sighed and fell asleep. Eyes closed.
The two didn't say or do much either. They clambered in the sheets next to him and snuggled closely up to him (as only toddlers can) falling asleep as well.
"we must find out what it was that has caused him such pain," Pippin murmured quietly.
"aye," Gimli agreed.
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meanwhile, Elrymbor was leaning against the wall outside Elrond's study, not really trying or wanting to listen to the conversation going on inside. Somebody next to him cleared their throat, and he looked. "Lady Evenstar of Gondor and Imladris," Elrymbor said with a small smile. "tis a pleasure to be meeting you."
"indeed," Arwen replied. "you are Legolas' brother?"
"aye."
"I understand he is dying from grief. Do you know why?"
"nay, my lady,"
"do you know when it started?"
"nay."
"any suspicions? Such as six years and two months ago?"
"you mean," Elrymbor frowned. "after the war of the ring?"
"aye. Twas about the time Estel and I were married - he didn't get to see the ceremony, you know? He had to leave to Mirkwood for important business right away. I was wondering what it was, and if perhaps that was what is causing him such pain?"
Elrymbor shook his head. "nothing was happening then, My Lady. We didn't call him back. But he was kind of quiet... mayhap twas something he saw or heard in your city?"
"may be. But Minas-tirith's people seemed very much interested and in awe of he and Gimli. I would not know." She sighed. "Estel is currently out restocking on herbs," she said at last. "he is very worried about Legolas, did you know? I hate to see my husband in such pain. Your brother must get better!"
"I am certain that he will, My Lady," Elrymbor said, giving her a small smile.
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a/n: WOWIE!!! LONG CHAPTER!!!! Go me! and, like I have said so many times before, Constructive Criticism is welcome!
Kayleigh-talitha: Much thanks to the authors' notes and stuff! And much more thanks for the Constructive Criticism and comments!
Legolas4me: Ooh, ooh, really? Ya think so? I was totally scared of flames and whatnot, and I'm very happy for the encouragement! Thank you!
CG/MD: thank you! Merci! Gracias! ^_^0 I can't believe that I managed to spell my hero's name wrong. And Elladan's! bad KKGirl! Bad!
Disclaimer: why do I insist on putting one of these bloody things in every single one of my chapters? *sighs* oh well. *ahem* Lord of the Rings in general belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien *drools some more on Tolkien's shoes with wide, freakily admiring eyes* and no profit is being made from this. *sweatdrop* so just... look, to put it easily, if you sued me you'd, err, how should I say this? Waste unnecessary money on court? Throw a poor student that drools over some dead guy's shoes out on the street? I think I'll leave it there.
Chapter Started: 04/11/03 Chapter Finished: 4/1203
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two days of riding nonstop later, in the forest of Mirkwood, maybe three days, two and a half days left to reach the wood elves' realm, riding nonstop, of course. ^_^ but our six plus elrond plus two healers equals nine heroes have been taking breaks for the Hobbits and horses and rest, to be ready to take care of Legsy-legly when they got there. This chap takes place in the middle of day three, k? not raining no more, though there are ominous clouds and the rolling of thunder...
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The six galloped hard that afternoon, though they were at a slightly slower pace, being in the forest now. It appeared that the forest rather disliked their presence. How? Only Manwë knows... and maybe Eru Iluvetar, but he doesn't count.
ANYHOOT,
They were galloping hard and as fast as they could, and Pippin was just about to say something about lunch (his pony was rather fat, so lagged behind the others) when Elrond held up a hand and stopped. They all followed suit.
Other hoof beats could be heard - coming towards them.
Wordlessly, Aragorn drew the bow that he had conveniently put on his back, and notched an arrow.
Suddenly, a white mare burst through the thick shrubbery, galloping at full speed until she saw the six blocking her way, so therefore stopped. There were two dark-cloaked figures on her. One tall, and strong looking - his features were hidden by the cloak, and he was holding onto the other in front of him with one hand around his chest. The other was slumped, and harsh, labored breathing rasped passed his lips. A strand of golden hair could be seen on this one, but otherwise he, too, was disguised by the dark cloak enveloping him.
As soon as the strong rider saw the nine, he quickly pulled his hood off and said, "Lord Elrond? I beg the Valar that my eyes do not lie to me!"
He was blondish-brownish in hair color, hair reached a little past his shoulder blades and was braided with customary Mirkwood warrior/royalty/grown-up braids. His eyes were a startling blue, unlike Legolas', which were a stormy blue.
"Nay, Prince Elrymbor, they do not lie!" Elrond said. His eyes turned onto the seemingly weak one that 'Elrymbor' clutched close to him.
"is that...?" he started, but Elrymbor cut him off.
"This is my brother, Legolas - My Lord, his breathing is all that shows his resistance to the Halls of Mandos! We feared that you would not come in time, so I was going to bring him..." he trailed off, slipping from the panting mares back and pulling Legolas with him.
His hood fell partly away, revealing pale - almost translucent - skin, and a few more strands of blond hair. The two healers with Elrond laid down spare cloaks on the ground, and Elrymbor was quick to lay his brother on them. Everybody crowded around, waiting silently as Elrond dug through his bag of herbs with his healers and Aragorn & Elrymbor removed the cloak.
There were soft gasps. It looked as though Legolas hadn't eaten for years. His usually braided hair was free, and lay strewn beneath his head like a pale halo. His eyes were slightly cracked, and through the slits only complete gray could be seen. The tunic he was wearing was much too large for him, and when Elrymbor took it off, any suspicions of Legolas not eating were confirmed.
"Tell me his symptoms," Elrond said, tipping Legolas' head back and dripping some greenish liquid between his parched slightly parted lips.
"high fever, can't keep any sort of food or drink down for long, weakened muscles, struggled breathing, he's very exhausted but can rarely get a good sleep, sensitive skin - I swear if you tap it he'll bleed to death," Elrymbor paused, passing a finger down his brother's cheek. "dehydrated, Lord Elrond he is very dehydrated, lethargy, and that's all we can tell from the outside. The healer guessed there might be internal bleeding, but that one I doubt."
While he was saying all of this, Elrond was poking at Legolas, mixing things and coating his skin and lips in it, attempting to get him to swallow, and things along those lines. Currently he was peering into the blond archer's eyes, holding one lid open, then the other.
"Did he show any symptoms before he became ill?" Elrond asked. Elrymbor furrowed his brow. "What mean you by that?"
"I mean, did he have difficulty thinking or concentrating, seem irritable, silent, physically uncomfortable, sad or unhappy, or was there a disruption in his normal sleep pattern?"
Elrymbor thought a moment. "He did seem kind of quiet - more quiet than usual, I suppose. But I just figured that was because ada betrothed him to some elf in the far east. Legolas made it all too clear that he wasn't happy about that. I can't say I recall if I saw him sleeping or no, of course he was irritable, and I guess that that's pretty much it."
"did he have mood swings?"
"not that I am aware of."
Elrond tipped Legolas' head back and forced his jaw open, examining his mouth. "Did you see him cry at all?"
"What?" Elrymbor stared at Elrond as though he were crazy. "No offence, My Lord, but my brother hasn't cried since the day he was born. But as long as we're on the subject... Anythiel did reckon once she saw a tear - her own imagination if you ask me. and she always seemed certain that he cried himself to sleep every night. Again, I believe that was her imagination."
"May be yes, may be no," Elrond replied, then looked up at Elrymbor. "When did she start saying this?"
"a long while by now. I am not sure there. I think that she questioned him about it first for a while before coming to confront ada - she supposed it was because he had been betrothed. However, Anythiel never did get along with ada, nor Legolas, so it wouldn't surprise me if this was one of her ploys to get him out of the engagement. Besides, I can be certain that she started these stories long before the betrothal was made."
"What did he say when he was betrothed?"
"he swore at ada for a while and threatened to run away. After a couple of months he gave up on that one, though. Decided to accept his fate I'm thinking. Why do you ask this?"
Elrond sighed. "To me it looks and sounds like grief. But if he has been suffering from this before the betrothal, it must not have been that - though I do disapprove of Thranduil's lack of intelligence in matters such as these." He sighed.
"So is he going to die?" Merry asked.
"I don't know," Elrond replied gravely. "If we could cure him, that would be a miracle." But then he smiled around a little at their anxious faces. "Mayhap some friends and a brake from Mirkwood would be good for him. Prince Elrymbor?"
"Yes?" Elrymbor straightened up slightly. "I would like it if you could get your father and anybody or anything special to Legolas and come to Rivendell with them. He will only live by his choice."
"Yes m'lord," Elrymbor said, and a minute later he had taken off the way he came on the white mare.
Aragorn wrapped the cloak around Legolas again and hefted him onto his horse, then got up behind him. "We must hurry," Elrond said, also mounting his mount. The others followed suit.
"Crazy Elf," Gimli said, looking at Legolas' form. "Dying from depression - doesn't seem like something he'd do, though I wouldn't blame him for being angry at Thranduil for just engaging him like that." He shook his head. "Pansy elf, too. Doesn't he know that if he off and kills himself I wouldn't be his friend?"
Frodo laughed a little. "Aye, you'll have to bring your good friend back to us, Gimli!"
"Yea, then we can have the *real* feast!" Sam added.
"who is Anythiel, I wonder?" Merry asked. the others shrugged. "he mentioned her name once or twice when I was visiting here after the war. Perhaps she is his lady?"
"Ooh! Legolas has a wife! Legolas has a wife! Hey, then that would make sense because he got engaged to some other elf that he's never met before, but he wants to marry this Anythiel instead!"
"That does make sense," Aragorn put in, somewhat put-out that Legolas had been betrothed to somebody that he didn't know. "But Anythiel is his sister."
There was silence after that.
"Oh..."
"But still!" Sam argued at last, "the concept is the right one!"
"logical enough," Frodo agreed.
"the six of you are lagging behind!" Elrond called from in front of them. "Make haste! His life is in danger, in case you haven't noticed!"
......... haste was made after that.
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one week later, Rivendell, late evening
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the doors burst open and Thranduil, followed closely by the Crown Prince, the princess, and two other elves - one female and one male carrying a small bag each, and last but not least a young she-elf holding a little toddler elf on either hip.
"You asked the presence of myself and those special to my youngest son," Thranduil said stiffly once he was in Elrond's study. "How fares the prince? He has a wedding in a few more months."
"that is one of the things I wanted to talk to you about," Elrond said carefully, standing up. Glorfindel was there too, but he remained seated and silent.
"the young prince is suffering from a form of grief. From what I've found out, its been quite a while now, and your engaging him must have broken him."
"so you're saying I should call off the marriage."
"aye, for the time being at least."
"nay, Lord Elrond, I can do that not; we need this alliance. The king there has only one child, and Prince Elrymbor is already married. My Princess Anythiel is only thirty-seven and too young to marry. My youngest son knows that this is for the good of his kingdom and people."
"aye, but its killing him," Elrond snapped. "What are you going to do once you've murdered your own son, Thranduil?"
"I want to know why they had to come," Thranduil interrupted, waving a hand to those behind him. "Those Legolas spent more time around. Why?"
"To help bring him out of his depression," Elrond replied. "I would speak with you privately while they go to your son in the healing room. Lord Glorfindel, would you please accompany them?"
"aye Lord," Glorfindel said, standing up. Anythiel, the elf maid with the two sleeping babies on her hips, and the two unknown elves with the bags followed him out of the room and down the other side of the castle. There he pushed the door to the healing room open and walked down to the end where five were already gathered, quietly speaking. The bed they sat around was populated by an elf, who was sleeping with his eyes closed. The five were attempting to get him to wake up, but he didn't even part his lips unless he was nastily woken up and Glorfindel held him down while Elrond shoved something down his throat - every morning and every night a disgusting liquid settled his stomach enough to let him eat and drink without throwing it back up. There were complications to this, of course. That sometimes he just threw the medicine up, or refused to eat.
Hunger and a little bit of muscle on Glorfindel's part got him to swallow something, though, little as it was.
His eyes were a dulled grey, not the usual bright blue-gray, and his pupils were dilated whenever they were open. His friends around him were beginning to despair.
"Please, just say something!" Merry begged. "this unnerving! What, have you gone mute or something?"
"I think he's just sad cause his wife dumped him," Pippin put in consolingly.
"what makes you think his lady dumped him?" Frodo asked.
"what makes you think he *had* a lady OR wife period?" Anythiel interrupted, shoving Sam and Gimli aside to get to her brother better.
"Hoy, leaf-brain! Wake up!" she shouted, waving a hand in front of his face. "Up, I say! Up! Oh, you were always lazy," she sighed and snapped a finger right next to his ear. This finally got a reaction out of him, and he turned his head slightly and offered Anythiel a weak scowl after his eyelids parted.
She accepted it graciously.
"There, now we're getting somewhere!" she trilled while the five members of the fellowship present watched her in amazement. "shall we move on to something a bit harder? Okay, this'll take three agonizingly long steps - open your mouth, clench your teeth, and pull the corners of your lips to your ears."
When Legolas didn't comply, she gave an exasperated sigh.
"Fine," she snapped. "be that way. Its not like *I* went off and got all depressed and ended up almost dying. Really. See, and your baby sister even went through all the trouble of bringing those two brats you despise so much!"
she crossed her arms and scowled. "thank *you* for wasting my time!"
this time, he gave a small smile. "I apologize, Anythiel," he whispered. No, it was much too quiet to be considered a whisper. But the Elves heard it - and the others caught a small sound. His voice was hoarse and cracked, and it looked as though it pained him to speak.
"He speaks!" Gimli said. "It's about time, pansy elf! Not that I was worried - but you could have at least said something to *me*!"
Legolas turned his head again and looked at the remaining members of the Fellowship as though seeing them for the first time. 'What are you doing here?' he slurred slightly in Elvish.
"say what?" asked Sam.
"he wants to know what we're doing here," Frodo translated, then leaned forward, also speaking softly in the Sindarin he knew. 'What happened to you, my friend?' he murmured. 'what did anybody do to have you almost die from grief?'
'grief?' he echoed, somewhat louder. There was a moment of silence in which he wrinkled his brow. 'Oh. Yes. Somebody said something about that - who's dying from grief, again?'
"You are, bright one!" Anythiel said, poking him playfully. But her eyes betrayed her happiness and worry for him.
'Nay,' Legolas said stubbornly, quickly regaining his voice. 'I am not.'
"Speak in westron!" Gimli said. Legolas looked back at him again.
"Gimli," he muttered. It took him a few more moments to process the information he had been given. He turned his gaze to Glorfindel. 'I remember you making me swallow something,' he pointed out. Glofindel bowed. 'My thanks for remembering me, Young Lord!' he said. Legolas frowned, and closed his eyes.
There was a long while of silence, and they all began to think that he had fallen into his closed-eye sleep. Anythiel motioned the male elf over and opened the bag he had. She dug around in it for a second, then pulled out a few herbs. She ripped these in half and squeezed some sort of clear jelly out. Then she took the jelly stuff and waved it over her brother's head. "Hoy! HOY!" She shouted, and Legolas opened his eyes with a now not-so-weak scowl.
He noticed the goo on her hands and almost immediately woke up. "what did you bring that for?!?" he asked, unconsciously falling into Westron. Anythiel smiled innocently. "But I was so certain that it would bring back happy memories!"
"aye, it's brought back memories all right," he muttered, leaning away from her hand. She laughed. He groaned and laid back down, though, and brought up a hand to massage a temple.
"Hey," she murmured, suddenly worried. "Legolas?" Sam asked.
"I think that he's going to be sick," Merry put in helpfully.
"does anyone have a bucket?" Pippin asked, looking around.
"Don't be rediculous, he's only got a headache," Gimli snapped.
Frodo didn't say anything.
"dizzy," Legolas said, and let out a shaky sigh. "and tired."
"then sleep," Anythiel told him.
"aye," the elf maid with the babies said. "Want the brats to cuddle up with?"
'what?'
"your niece and nephew," Anythiel said, rolling her eyes. "unless you'd like to betray your brother and cuddle up with his wife instead..." the she- elf behind her dropped the two kids on Legolas' lap and scowled at Anythiel. "I hardly find that funny, princess," she scolded.
"Well *I* find it funny," Anythiel replied innocently.
The other five were more interested in watching their companion and the two toddlers, who had all three been woken up. Nothing was said. The blond looked at the two of them, then just closed his eyes again. He sighed and fell asleep. Eyes closed.
The two didn't say or do much either. They clambered in the sheets next to him and snuggled closely up to him (as only toddlers can) falling asleep as well.
"we must find out what it was that has caused him such pain," Pippin murmured quietly.
"aye," Gimli agreed.
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meanwhile, Elrymbor was leaning against the wall outside Elrond's study, not really trying or wanting to listen to the conversation going on inside. Somebody next to him cleared their throat, and he looked. "Lady Evenstar of Gondor and Imladris," Elrymbor said with a small smile. "tis a pleasure to be meeting you."
"indeed," Arwen replied. "you are Legolas' brother?"
"aye."
"I understand he is dying from grief. Do you know why?"
"nay, my lady,"
"do you know when it started?"
"nay."
"any suspicions? Such as six years and two months ago?"
"you mean," Elrymbor frowned. "after the war of the ring?"
"aye. Twas about the time Estel and I were married - he didn't get to see the ceremony, you know? He had to leave to Mirkwood for important business right away. I was wondering what it was, and if perhaps that was what is causing him such pain?"
Elrymbor shook his head. "nothing was happening then, My Lady. We didn't call him back. But he was kind of quiet... mayhap twas something he saw or heard in your city?"
"may be. But Minas-tirith's people seemed very much interested and in awe of he and Gimli. I would not know." She sighed. "Estel is currently out restocking on herbs," she said at last. "he is very worried about Legolas, did you know? I hate to see my husband in such pain. Your brother must get better!"
"I am certain that he will, My Lady," Elrymbor said, giving her a small smile.
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a/n: WOWIE!!! LONG CHAPTER!!!! Go me! and, like I have said so many times before, Constructive Criticism is welcome!
Kayleigh-talitha: Much thanks to the authors' notes and stuff! And much more thanks for the Constructive Criticism and comments!
Legolas4me: Ooh, ooh, really? Ya think so? I was totally scared of flames and whatnot, and I'm very happy for the encouragement! Thank you!
CG/MD: thank you! Merci! Gracias! ^_^0 I can't believe that I managed to spell my hero's name wrong. And Elladan's! bad KKGirl! Bad!