Ice

Chapter Nine

Elrond rose from the bed. Turning to Legolas he said, "Please watch over her. I will return soon. Should she awaken before, please have Tan come for me." With that he left the room.

Tan turned to Legolas. "How does she fare?"

"Lord Elrond has done all he can for now. He believes he has gotten most of the poison out, and what little still lingers can be taken care of by her own healing abilities. I cannot believe she was able to return Estel here in her condition!"

"Aye, she is strong willed. Estel is very lucky. My prince, I wonder what orcs were doing so close to Rivendell. It is most unusual."

"That it is, Tan. There is some evil brewing; I can feel it. We must discuss this with Lord Elrond. He may have an idea."

Tan approached Fin's bedside and regarded the elf. She lay on her stomach, bare from the waist up. Her head was turned to the side and her face was very pale. Her light brown hair, which had been braided neatly hours earlier, had been pushed to one side. She was covered with a blanket so that only her shoulders could be seen. She moaned softly in her sleep. Her eyelids fluttered and she mumbled something. Legolas lay a hand on her forehead and could feel the unnatural warmth of the fever.

"She is still feverish, there is still poison in her body."

"Her strength will win out over this poison. She will defeat it."

Legolas stoked the fire and pulled a chair closer to Fin's bedside. Reaching under the blanket, he freed one of her hands and gripped it tightly.

"Come back to us, Fin."

He leaned back, and began singing softly an elvish song that he had taught Fin. Tan also brought up a chair nearer to the bed, and both elves began a vigil by their wounded friend.

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Meanwhile, Elrond had entered Estel's room to find the young man sitting up in bed, talking quietly with his brothers. Elrond smiled to see his son feeling stronger. There was a bandage wrapped around his head, and he was in dry, warm clothes. He looked up as his father entered the room.

"Ada, it is good to see you!"

"Estel, it is good to see you awake. How is your head?"

"It hurts, but it is not too bad. If it wasn't for Fin, ada."

"I know my son, we are all very lucky."

"Where is she? She was injured; she was struck by an orc arrow. Even then she managed to pull me from the lake."

"She is well, Estel. Do not be worried. I have seen to her wound. Her body will recover. I am more concerned for her spirit. Did Elladan tell you how you came to find her out at night by the lake to begin with?"

"Aye, he did. I knew it would be difficult for her to learn to trust. Perhaps she has been alone for to long. She truly does not understand why we would welcome her here. She does not understand all that she gives in return. That is what we must make her understand."

"I believe you are correct, my son. When did you become so wise?"

"Ada, I have been wise all along. It has just taken this long for you elves to see it." Elladan and Elrohir chuckled at their younger brother.

"You need to rest now. Your brothers will need to leave so that you may sleep. I will have some warm broth brought up to you, and then you will sleep!"

"Yes, ada."

Elrond left the room and went to the kitchens to find a servant to bring broth to Estel. He also asked for some to be brought to Fin's chamber, along with food for Legolas and Tan, since they had not eaten since they arrived. Then he returned to Fin's chamber to check on the she-elf.