Chapter Six
When Estel awoke the next day he was still sore and stiff, but eager to be up and out of bed. He glanced at his friend, who still lay sleeping, and then to his brother who sat in a chair beside the bed, reading.
"El.?"
"Estel, how do you fair this morning?"
"I am well. Really, I feel much better," he looked at his brothers doubt filled face. "Has Legolas woken at all?"
"Nay, and his sleep has been peaceful. His fever is down, and ada says that is a sign he is fighting the infection."
"That is good news. Does ada think he will awaken soon?"
"Nay, the draught he was given last night should keep him asleep for most of the day. Ada said if you felt up to it, you could join him for breakfast in the dining room this morning."
"I do, but I wish to bathe first." Though they had cleaned him up as best they could, Estel was still dirty from their ordeal.
"Go ahead, Estel, I will help you with your bandages afterward. Try not to get your stitches too wet."
After his bath and breakfast with his father, Estel returned to the healing chambers to be near Legolas. The elf slept peacefully through most of the day, waking as the sun was beginning to set. He was confused and disoriented at first, but settled down once he realized Estel was with him.
"Estel.?"
"Aye, I am here. Are you in pain? I can get my father if you are."
Legolas did not respond, but the answer was obvious by the expression on his face and the look in his eyes. Estel began to rise, but was stopped by the light pressure he felt on his sleeve.
"Nay, I do not wish to sleep any longer. It is not as bad as before."
"All right. I will not, for now."
Legolas looked into the worried eyes of his friend. He saw something there he did not quite understand. Something was not right, in fact, something felt horribly wrong. His gaze directly meeting the rangers he asked, "Estel, you would tell me if there was something wrong, would you not?"
"I do not know what you mean."
"My arm. Something is not right with it. It is numb inside, and I cannot control my fingers. And last night, before I fell asleep, I heard your father speak of it, though I heard not everything."
"Legolas.," Estel interrupted.
"Nay, Estel, I wish to know. It is not right to keep it from me."
"You are right," he sighed, "The wound is grievous. Ada said the wolf bit right to the bone. Much damage was done. There is infection, also. It immmxss most serious. You are weak from loss of blood and fever. He said that if it does not improve, he will have to." Estel could not finish. He looked at the floor, his hands twisting in his lap in frustration and worry.
"I would rather die than lose my arm," Legolas whispered, "You know that, Estel." He looked into his friends silver eyes.
"Aye, I do." There was silence for several moments.
"But it may not come to that, elfling." Elrond stood in the door. He had been present for most of the conversation between the two friends.
"Last night, you were feverish from the infection. Your body was weak from the loss of blood, but you have begun to heal. Your fever is down, and I believe that is a sign that you have begun to fight the infection. There is hope, yet, but do not be fooled. You took serious injury, and I do not know the extent of the damage. Time will tell." He reached out to feel Legolas forehead and smiled when he found it was much cooler than before.
Legolas smiled back, knowing the elf lord would do all within his power to save his arm.
"Why an infection? Elves are not suppose to be pray to such mortal afflictions? Questioned Estel.
"My guess, and I do not know for certain, was that the wolves bite was poisonous for some reason. Perhaps the wolves were ill. It could also have been due to your numerous injuries, your body was not able to fight off and heal so many wounds," answered Elrond.
Estel and Legolas both nodded, though neither totally understood. Estel did understand that Legolas needed to build back his strength and stamina if he was to have a chance at complete recovery.
"Are you hungry? You have not had anything to eat since yesterday morning."
"Aye, I am."
"I will go to the kitchen and bring something back for you, then. Estel needs to eat as well," responded Elrond, and then turning to his foster son he requested, "Estel, help the prince to sit, I shall return soon."
Estel turned to his friend and helped him to sit and lean against the bed headboard. Legolas paled in pain, but once he was settled, the color returned to his face.
"I guess adventure is not so wonderful, mellon, I think next time, I will just play chess," Legolas stated with a tired smile and partially closed eyes.
"Aye, remind me next time, please, how much I do not like adventure," Estel replied with a sad smile.
________________________________________
Legolas stayed in bed for two more days, and by the time Lord Elrond allowed him up, he was nearly crazy from inactivity. His shoulder was nearly healed as was his side, but he needed a walking stick to help him hobble about due to the injury to his leg. His arm, however, was a different story, and he began to despair over the amount of use he would have once it had healed. Elrond had assured him that it would heal, though the damage had been extensive, and he would have to work to bring it back to full use.
He worked at it, even while he was still restricted to bed, clenching his fist, bending his wrist, and rotating his hand. It pained him greatly, yet felt good at the same time. It also felt clumsy, however, and his fingers felt fat and ungainly.
It had finally stopped raining, and the past two days had been bright and sunny. The ground was beginning to finally dry out, and the level of the river had returned to almost normal.
The first day Elrond had allowed the prince to be out of bed, Estel found him on the terrace that led from the library, gazing out into the forests. He was still attired in his sleep shirt and trousers, and he looked relaxed and serene. His arm rested on the rail, and he was clenching his fingers and moving his hand about, almost without realizing it. Estel had noticed this constant motion, but had said nothing. Elrond had assured him the elf would do no further damage to his arm in this way.
"If you want to strengthen it, you need to do more than just move it around," he stated as he approached.
Legolas turned to him, looked down at his arm, then turned back smiling.
"I guess it just feels better to move it."
"Aye, but my father has told me you need to strengthen the muscles that were torn. Pushing and pulling, applying pressure, that sort of thing. Come, he showed me some exercises you can do."
Days later, Estel found Legolas at the archery field, bow in hand. The ranger did not think Legolas' arm was ready for such a strain, but he said nothing. Elrond had told him that Legolas would know if he had overdone it, they had discussed thoroughly what it would feel like if he strained the muscles or the mending flesh. Legolas had promised to stop at that point, at least long enough for Elrond to examine the arm.
Estel watched from the side as Legolas nocked an arrow and fired quickly. The arrow went wide of the target, embedding in the outside edge of the graduated circles. He heard a definite dwarven curse come from his friend and he wondered where Legolas had picked up this word. Again the elf shot, this arrow did not even hit the target, but silently flew past it. A deep breath from the elf drew his attention and he watched as Legolas dropped his head in frustration.
"Perhaps it is too early to try?" suggested the ranger softly.
Legolas looked at his friend. His first reaction was anger, but when he saw the look of concern, yet absolutely no pity, on his friend's face, he smiled slightly and nodded. Estel knew that Legolas held much pride, and it hurt to have this skill so compromised. He had worked to perfect his archery skills and none in Mirkwood or Rivendell could match him. He watched as Legolas made a fist and flexed his hand around at the wrist, a slight expression of pain on his face.
"Give it a break. Maybe you have overdone it? My father says heat will help. Come, we will see to it at once."
Legolas allowed himself to be led away from the archery fields. He would rest it for this day, but tomorrow he would be back out here again.
Once they had returned to the house, Estel made a poultice of herbs that had been heated and placed it around Legolas' arm. The elf hissed slightly at the initial pain, but then felt the soothing of the penetrating warmth. It eased the ache he felt and made the arm feel relaxed.
"Estel, I thank you for all your help. How are your wounds? I notice you still limp a bit."
"Ada removed the stitches, but yes, my ankle is still tight and sore," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"That is well, mellon nin. I am glad."
Estel studied his friend for a moment before replying, "I will be at the archery field early tomorrow. Will you be meeting me there?"
"You know me too well, ranger. Aye, I will be there."
And so it was that Legolas found Estel there. And it was many long days before the elf felt that his skill was back to where it had been before his encounter with the wolves. A small, informal competition was held pitting Legolas against Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir. The prince easily won, much to Estel's delight.
The End
When Estel awoke the next day he was still sore and stiff, but eager to be up and out of bed. He glanced at his friend, who still lay sleeping, and then to his brother who sat in a chair beside the bed, reading.
"El.?"
"Estel, how do you fair this morning?"
"I am well. Really, I feel much better," he looked at his brothers doubt filled face. "Has Legolas woken at all?"
"Nay, and his sleep has been peaceful. His fever is down, and ada says that is a sign he is fighting the infection."
"That is good news. Does ada think he will awaken soon?"
"Nay, the draught he was given last night should keep him asleep for most of the day. Ada said if you felt up to it, you could join him for breakfast in the dining room this morning."
"I do, but I wish to bathe first." Though they had cleaned him up as best they could, Estel was still dirty from their ordeal.
"Go ahead, Estel, I will help you with your bandages afterward. Try not to get your stitches too wet."
After his bath and breakfast with his father, Estel returned to the healing chambers to be near Legolas. The elf slept peacefully through most of the day, waking as the sun was beginning to set. He was confused and disoriented at first, but settled down once he realized Estel was with him.
"Estel.?"
"Aye, I am here. Are you in pain? I can get my father if you are."
Legolas did not respond, but the answer was obvious by the expression on his face and the look in his eyes. Estel began to rise, but was stopped by the light pressure he felt on his sleeve.
"Nay, I do not wish to sleep any longer. It is not as bad as before."
"All right. I will not, for now."
Legolas looked into the worried eyes of his friend. He saw something there he did not quite understand. Something was not right, in fact, something felt horribly wrong. His gaze directly meeting the rangers he asked, "Estel, you would tell me if there was something wrong, would you not?"
"I do not know what you mean."
"My arm. Something is not right with it. It is numb inside, and I cannot control my fingers. And last night, before I fell asleep, I heard your father speak of it, though I heard not everything."
"Legolas.," Estel interrupted.
"Nay, Estel, I wish to know. It is not right to keep it from me."
"You are right," he sighed, "The wound is grievous. Ada said the wolf bit right to the bone. Much damage was done. There is infection, also. It immmxss most serious. You are weak from loss of blood and fever. He said that if it does not improve, he will have to." Estel could not finish. He looked at the floor, his hands twisting in his lap in frustration and worry.
"I would rather die than lose my arm," Legolas whispered, "You know that, Estel." He looked into his friends silver eyes.
"Aye, I do." There was silence for several moments.
"But it may not come to that, elfling." Elrond stood in the door. He had been present for most of the conversation between the two friends.
"Last night, you were feverish from the infection. Your body was weak from the loss of blood, but you have begun to heal. Your fever is down, and I believe that is a sign that you have begun to fight the infection. There is hope, yet, but do not be fooled. You took serious injury, and I do not know the extent of the damage. Time will tell." He reached out to feel Legolas forehead and smiled when he found it was much cooler than before.
Legolas smiled back, knowing the elf lord would do all within his power to save his arm.
"Why an infection? Elves are not suppose to be pray to such mortal afflictions? Questioned Estel.
"My guess, and I do not know for certain, was that the wolves bite was poisonous for some reason. Perhaps the wolves were ill. It could also have been due to your numerous injuries, your body was not able to fight off and heal so many wounds," answered Elrond.
Estel and Legolas both nodded, though neither totally understood. Estel did understand that Legolas needed to build back his strength and stamina if he was to have a chance at complete recovery.
"Are you hungry? You have not had anything to eat since yesterday morning."
"Aye, I am."
"I will go to the kitchen and bring something back for you, then. Estel needs to eat as well," responded Elrond, and then turning to his foster son he requested, "Estel, help the prince to sit, I shall return soon."
Estel turned to his friend and helped him to sit and lean against the bed headboard. Legolas paled in pain, but once he was settled, the color returned to his face.
"I guess adventure is not so wonderful, mellon, I think next time, I will just play chess," Legolas stated with a tired smile and partially closed eyes.
"Aye, remind me next time, please, how much I do not like adventure," Estel replied with a sad smile.
________________________________________
Legolas stayed in bed for two more days, and by the time Lord Elrond allowed him up, he was nearly crazy from inactivity. His shoulder was nearly healed as was his side, but he needed a walking stick to help him hobble about due to the injury to his leg. His arm, however, was a different story, and he began to despair over the amount of use he would have once it had healed. Elrond had assured him that it would heal, though the damage had been extensive, and he would have to work to bring it back to full use.
He worked at it, even while he was still restricted to bed, clenching his fist, bending his wrist, and rotating his hand. It pained him greatly, yet felt good at the same time. It also felt clumsy, however, and his fingers felt fat and ungainly.
It had finally stopped raining, and the past two days had been bright and sunny. The ground was beginning to finally dry out, and the level of the river had returned to almost normal.
The first day Elrond had allowed the prince to be out of bed, Estel found him on the terrace that led from the library, gazing out into the forests. He was still attired in his sleep shirt and trousers, and he looked relaxed and serene. His arm rested on the rail, and he was clenching his fingers and moving his hand about, almost without realizing it. Estel had noticed this constant motion, but had said nothing. Elrond had assured him the elf would do no further damage to his arm in this way.
"If you want to strengthen it, you need to do more than just move it around," he stated as he approached.
Legolas turned to him, looked down at his arm, then turned back smiling.
"I guess it just feels better to move it."
"Aye, but my father has told me you need to strengthen the muscles that were torn. Pushing and pulling, applying pressure, that sort of thing. Come, he showed me some exercises you can do."
Days later, Estel found Legolas at the archery field, bow in hand. The ranger did not think Legolas' arm was ready for such a strain, but he said nothing. Elrond had told him that Legolas would know if he had overdone it, they had discussed thoroughly what it would feel like if he strained the muscles or the mending flesh. Legolas had promised to stop at that point, at least long enough for Elrond to examine the arm.
Estel watched from the side as Legolas nocked an arrow and fired quickly. The arrow went wide of the target, embedding in the outside edge of the graduated circles. He heard a definite dwarven curse come from his friend and he wondered where Legolas had picked up this word. Again the elf shot, this arrow did not even hit the target, but silently flew past it. A deep breath from the elf drew his attention and he watched as Legolas dropped his head in frustration.
"Perhaps it is too early to try?" suggested the ranger softly.
Legolas looked at his friend. His first reaction was anger, but when he saw the look of concern, yet absolutely no pity, on his friend's face, he smiled slightly and nodded. Estel knew that Legolas held much pride, and it hurt to have this skill so compromised. He had worked to perfect his archery skills and none in Mirkwood or Rivendell could match him. He watched as Legolas made a fist and flexed his hand around at the wrist, a slight expression of pain on his face.
"Give it a break. Maybe you have overdone it? My father says heat will help. Come, we will see to it at once."
Legolas allowed himself to be led away from the archery fields. He would rest it for this day, but tomorrow he would be back out here again.
Once they had returned to the house, Estel made a poultice of herbs that had been heated and placed it around Legolas' arm. The elf hissed slightly at the initial pain, but then felt the soothing of the penetrating warmth. It eased the ache he felt and made the arm feel relaxed.
"Estel, I thank you for all your help. How are your wounds? I notice you still limp a bit."
"Ada removed the stitches, but yes, my ankle is still tight and sore," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"That is well, mellon nin. I am glad."
Estel studied his friend for a moment before replying, "I will be at the archery field early tomorrow. Will you be meeting me there?"
"You know me too well, ranger. Aye, I will be there."
And so it was that Legolas found Estel there. And it was many long days before the elf felt that his skill was back to where it had been before his encounter with the wolves. A small, informal competition was held pitting Legolas against Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir. The prince easily won, much to Estel's delight.
The End