Note: I'm back and still alive, not die as you might have thought I am. Gah! You must blame my computer for all the problem it caused to me and affected to you. My friend and I tried to fix a problem together and some very Very VERY BIG mistake happened. We couldn't get into window XP and I really meant it. After talked seriously for a while, the conclusion we had was we MUST format my computer. So all information and programs I had went to la la land (or heaven if you would like to call). That's why it took me quite a while to get chapter 14 back for you.
The next chapter would be posted in this month hopefully.
Thanks:
Jaimi : I always think this fic is full of love and care between characters. It really makes me feel warm and think about old days that people are not cruel like this time (many people are still be good but not as much as it appeared in the past).
Serafina : ah…I hope I didn't make you freak when you open your mailbox today such as 'Woh, she still Alive!'
Well, I would say that even I understand the writer's problem (by being one of them myself), I would go nagging many authors to get the next chapters of them. So don't worry about being selfish. ^^
Erinamation-limited2-nothing : I don't know what to say except I really glad that I could finally post this chapter out.
Elvin Flame : I hope you wouldn't get sore feet by skipping around. In case you got it, I guess you go boiling water and pour it into a tub with some cold water, then put your feet into the tub. It would make you feel better.
Hmsgirl : FF.net is really evil. First, they won't allow NC-17. And someday I couldn't see R story. Hmm…I just hope it wouldn't happen to you as well.
Vinguyen : Well, I wrote about Mandos and I really think it's a good place. As a Buddhist, I believe in incarnation. In my opinion, Mandos is kinda a place that you just sit and think about what you have done wrong in the past life. Thus you would learn and not do mistake again when you have a chance to get back into life.
Gia : Well, I'm sure you get email from divinechild18@hotmail.com that you told me.
Mitsuko : Even if you didn't tell or chase me around, I would let them alive anyway. I don't have any intention to make them die in this fic. So don't worry. Whatever, which the subject you choose to chase me this time. I hope it would be coffee cake, my favouriteee sweeeeet….
Lin : sorry for that stupid spell 'PATIONTLY' that you said in your review. I guess it was because of my typing. Thanks for mentioned it to me. So I would fix it later, though I must confess I'm a VERY forgetful person.
Law? No, I'm not going to Law. I just made a joke last time. My major is Business. So I'm sure would earn money enough to get a good lawyer to fight in the court under title 'insane people fight over a fiction' Hahaha…..
Sagesumi : I would love to shout that 'Im Alive!' After a ton of works that my teachers threw on me last semester. Very evil of them to make a poor girl like me did so much of homework like that. *sob sob*
'DON'T EVER MAKE ME WAIT THAT LONG FOR A CHAPTER AGAIN!' ß Well, the only thing I can tell you is that chapter 15 shouldn't be too long after this part.
Midnight Star : Well, I got this chapter out finally. Hope Ra, Isis, Thot, Horus, and all Egyptian Gods and Goddesses would be with you.
Innocent
By Elendriel
Chapter 14
It was so dark Elrond could see nothing. He dived deeper into the dark abyss of Legolas' mind until he saw the person he was looking for though he was not alone like he had expected because Legolas was carrying Frodo in one of his arms while another using his sword to fend the hands that tried to pull him under the black mud. Elrond didn't waste any minute to analyze; he emitted his power out and the hands vanished from Legolas' ankles immediately.
The elf prince looked up at the lord of Rivendell surprisingly and glad of his coming for he didn't think he could ward the hands off much longer. Beside, he was getting worried about Frodo who hadn't made any movement since they left the Maia.
Elrond strode toward the panting elf and tried to take his light burden but Frodo didn't allow that. His tiny arms sealed around Legolas' neck stubbornly though he was unconscious and didn't have much energy left for it was spent by coming to the land between life and death as well as destroying the Maia's Wall. Moreover, the little hobbit was in terrible danger because of the blood that was leaking out of his wounds because Legolas' mind had been occupied by his return to life and he'd forgotten to dress his charge's injuries.
The elf lord pulled his handkerchief and tore it to two pieces to wrap them around Frodo's tiny hands. From the corner of his eyes Elrond saw that the hands still were there in the distance, lurking in the dark, waiting the time his power wore out, and then attack again to chain them here for eternity.
He set the barrier around them before leading Legolas by the way he had come. Though the way was smooth and nothing came to obstruct their way, Elrond noted that his light was dimmer and the hands came nearer; Legolas realized it as well. Both sped their paces up to run. Nevertheless, the hands kept following them as well and crept nearer and nearer when time passed.
Before long, the gate of light, which would bring them back to the world of life, was in front of them. Legolas glad to see it though he was worried secretly because the boy's body was getting cold and his limbs were limp as if he was holding a big doll instead of a lively hobbit. He feared greatly that his hobbit might pass away while they tried to get out of this place.
Suddenly the hands attacked them again and clutch Legolas' ankles tightly and tried to pull him back though they ignored Elrond.
"Elrond! Don't worry about me. Go and take Frodo with you!" Legolas cried and thrust his two hands that were holding Frodo toward Elrond; however, the elf lord was too far to receive the hobbit. Desperate to save his innocent friend, Legolas came to a quick decision. He cast Frodo to Elrond who received him tenderly. All of this time, the hobbit was so still and seemed not to know at all what was happening with his two Elven friends.
The lord of Rivendell noticed the very unwell condition of Frodo too but he didn't have time to compute how bad the boy was. He just hoped Frodo could sustain a little longer. What little remained of his power was gathered in his hands and he shot it at those hands around Legolas' ankles. They sprang out immediately with painful scream. Elrond didn't let his gold chance passed; he grasped the younger elf's hand and yanked him into the light together.
After that Legolas knew no more, except all was so bright and warm.
* * *
Elrond panted heavily before opening his eyes; about him was blurred a little before he could focus on the faces that hovered around him. One strong and smooth hand reached to brush his hair off the damp forehead as well as wipe his sweat out.
"We have them back," Elrond reported tiredly. For so long he hadn't used all of his power to rescue someone while healing. He pulled his hand from Legolas' forehead but still kept his on Frodo's, looking proudly at Elladan and Aragorn who were bandaging the prince.
*They remembered all of what I had taught them.*
"Are you all right, Elrond?" Glorfindel asked as he eyed his friend and lord with worry, knowing too well that the half-elven was a very stubborn person and usually pushed himself over the limit like many times when he worked continually for a few days without rest; as a result he collapsed and was ordered to stay in bed for three days which wasn't easy for his caretaker, who was Glorfindel, because Elrond would sneak out to his study every time he had the chance.
"I'm fine," Elrond replied softly and tried to sit upright, however, he felt dizzy and slumped back into Glorfindel's waiting arms.
"No, you are not fine, Elrond. Just rest, I and the others will see the needs for our patients," the blond elf lord told him and without his lord's acceptance, he lay Elrond down on the soft grass with his head on his lap.
"And don't struggle," Glorfindel said sternly as he saw Elrond open his mouth and raise his hands up in an attempt to protest and push his friend out. "I'm stronger than you."
"All lright, all right, you win," Elrond gave up for he knew that when Glorfindel wanted to be stubborn, even he couldn't win. He looked at his friend a little indignantly, then averted his eyes to gaze at the boy before him when Elrohir covered him with a blanket. He smiled at his son's thought and moved his hand to the hobbit's neck to check the pulse. What he found made his heart heavy. Frodo's heartbeat was so weak he couldn't find it at all. Like he had feared his presence in Legolas' mind had caused the boy to be in this severe condition though he didn't have a clue how or why Frodo could penetrate into Legolas' world. Actually, he should have known if he had asked Legolas to tell him when they were trying to get back to the world of life. Whatever, it was needless to ponder; he must wait for Legolas or Frodo to wake up and tell him what had happened. But first of all, he needed to watch the little one closely.
Elrond got up again without listening to Glorfindel's concerned words. He leaned forward a little as he inserted his arms under Frodo's neck and legs and lifted the hobbit into his arms with Elrohir's help though it was needless for even he was so exhausted, Frodo weighed no more than a feather.
*He is too thin for a hobbit. I will tell Minatha to help him gain the standard weight when we are back* Elrond thought as he leaned back into Glorfindel's waiting arms for support, cradling Frodo to his bosom tenderly. His fingertips brushed the curly black hair off of pale forehead as he closed his eyes to concentrate for what he was going to do. His mind reached out for the nature's power that was a pure and great source for elves. The energy of rivers, trees, earth, stars, and moon seeped into his exhausted body slowly, refilling the power he had lost on account to rescue Legolas and Frodo as well as freshen him up again though he still needed some rest to recover completely. A small amount of the nature's power, no less or more, he passed to the boy through his fingertips.
Elrond opened his eyes and gazed down at the result in his arms. Frodo was still considerably pale but his healer sense said that the little one would be alright. However, Legolas and Frodo needed great care, that he couldn't provide in this forest, to recover.
"Elrohir, go tell your brothers that we are setting out to Imladris."
"Ada, I don't think that Legolas is in position to travel or move," Elrohir protested softly.
"I know, Elrohir, but we can't risk attack from the orcs again. Beside, our patients need nourishing foods and medicines that we can't give them in this wild. Legolas will ride with Elladan for he is well learned in the art of healing. You and Estel could find the places behind any elves," Elrond said; all the time, he stroked Frodo's soft hair fondly. His love for this little one was growing stronger and he was afraid for the time of the hobbit to depart.
Meanwhile his sons busied with their stuff, their father was busy himself in an argument with Glorfindel. The blond elf lord insisted firmly that he MUST ride with him which made Elrond a little furious with the mother-hen behavior of his friend. He was the lord of Rivendell who had governed it for many thousand years, survived the last alliance battle, and now Glorfindel acted as if he was a little baby who couldn't defend himself and needed protection.
However, Elrond gave up finally by Glorfindel's reason.
"Elrond. You aren't strong enough to ride alone, much less with Frodo in your arms. You and the little one will ride with me and that is the last conclusion," Glorfindel said and whistled to call his horse, Asfaloth. The steed strode gracefully to its master and nudged Glorfindel's chest lovingly. Glorfindel took Frodo from his lord so Elrond could mount Asfaloth.
Not far from them, all the packages were saddled already. Legolas sat in front of Elladan who embraced him round his waist with one arm to be certain that his patient would not slip out of the horse while they galloped to Rivendell. Meanwhile, two elves did the honor to Elrohir and Estel by letting them ride with them.
Then, the troop of Rivendell deserted the forest to their peaceful valley.
* * *
Legolas blinked his eyes sluggishly. Things around him were so blurred that he could see none clearly. So he concentrated on the feeling and voices. His face pressed to a soft and warm fabric as he was bouncing up and down. The prince was confused a moment before he registered that someone carried him. But why? He was fine and could walk himself without help. He wanted to tell whoever was carrying him to let him down, however, his body didn't seem to agree with him because his muscles started aching terribly because of the lack of movement as well as his back that hurt so bad.
*What happened with me?* He tried to remember what had occurred but he found only white clouds in his head. Some important memories had disappeared though he didn't remember what they were and it disturbed him greatly.
*something small…*
Unfortunately, his caretaker interrupted him before he could recall.
"Legolas, are you awake?" It was Elladan's voice, which he noticed was full of concern.
"mmm…" Legolas murmured as a reply. He sank back to the twin's warm chest, wanting nothing more than sleeping without disturbance. He gazed around the room warily, annoyed that his eyes couldn't focus clearly. He only knew that there were many people in the room; the first was Elladan, the second was a blond haired elf who he thought must be Glorfindel, the third had black hair which might have been Elrohir or Elrond (whoever this person was, he was holding some bundle in his arms) and the last one was a small boy with curly hair. Actually, he never saw an elf with such a curly head like this one. *hmmm…interesting*
"Bilbo, could you pull the blanket out? So I could lay Legolas down," Elladan's said. So Legolas realized that it wasn't a small boy with curly hair like he had supposed. Whatever, why the famous hobbit was here? Why? Legolas started recalling his memories again; however, it was interrupted as he felt himself lowered to sit down on the bed. He hissed involuntarily as a flash of pain surged into his body; panted a little heavily as he inclined in Elladan's supporting arms, who was careful not to touch his pained spot. From his blurrily eyesight, he saw a blond haired elf that he supposed to be Glorfindel give Elladan a glass which the twin lifted it to his lips. Legolas turned his face away because he noticed from the smell that it must be a medicine and he knew from some experience, when he got wounded and was given medicine from the healer in Mirkwood, that it tasted so bad.
"You must drink it, Legolas," Elrond said softly as Elladan raised the glass against the prince's lips again.
The Mirkwood elf closed his eyes tightly before swallowing the unwanted and bad tasting fluid down his throat. Soon he was lowered down to lay on the mattress. Even though the bed was so soft, Legolas couldn't suppress a whimper when it touched his wound. Thus, he was flipped to lie on his stomach which made for less pain. A blanket was laid down on him lightly. So he wasn't chilled too much.
"Rest, Legolas. I will come to check you again this evening," Elrond said while the others went out.
The prince of Mirkwood obeyed obediently. His mind wanted to remember the 'small thing' he had forgotten but the medicine worked well and soon he started dozing. However, just before he fell into deep slumber, the bed beside him sank down a little and he felt a warm body pressed into him.
* * *
How long he slept Legolas didn't know. When he woke again, the room was luminous in the soft light of the morning sun. Legolas gazed around the room and tried to recognized what had happened after Elrond gave him
the medicine that day but his memory was vague with the briefest of pieces. Actually, it was like he went through the dream full of voices and foggy faces. He remembered Minatha fed him some foods and Elrond visited him with his nasty medicine. The twins and Estel came to visit him as well as Mithrandir and the others. But most of the time, he slept through days and nights as his damaged body required and truly speaking, Elrond's treat had a big part in it.
Today was the first day that he felt well and his eyesight was clear. All he had forgotten or been oblivious to during his illness flew into his mind. The small thing---he tried to remember what it was.
Frodo!
Where was the boy?
Legolas searched into his memory frantically but he found Frodo nowhere and the others never mentioned the little hobbit to him as well. Shudders ran through him as the most terrible probability set into his mind.
Frodo was dead.
That was the reason why the others never said anything about the boy.
A droplet of tear streaked out of his eyes as he thought of the little boy he loved and failed to save. The innocent smile, shining blue eyes that surpassed any jewels he had ever seen, the unruly curled black hair, the tiny fingers that used to clutch his hair while he slept, the small body that cuddled to him at night; he had failed to protect Frodo.
A light movement on the bed told him that he wasn't alone in the room. Legolas wiped his tears hastily, ashamed to let whoever was there see his tears. He turned his face away from the direction of that movement, praying that the person would think he fell asleep again and leave him alone.
"Legolas?"
The said name owner froze for a moment. He turned his face back immediately and found himself looked into a pair of sleepy blue orbs.
*I must be delirious! Frodo couldn't be here, could he?*
Legolas thought as he saw his little friend rub his eyes before yawning, showed tiny white teeth.
"You are finally awake," the hobbit smiled sweetly at him.
Legolas reached his hand out to touch the small face in front of him hesitantly as if afraid that it was a dream and the boy would disappear the second he touched him. However, it wasn't. Frodo's cheek was soft and warm.
Frodo was confused at his larger friend's action. He moved nearer the elf and lifted his hand to touch his forehead, trying to find some fever that may have caused Legolas' weird reaction, but he found not.
*I should go to find Elrond. He must know what is wrong with Legolas*
Frodo struggled to get off the bed but he was pulled back to lie on the soft mattress again and Legolas' face buried itself in his small chest immediately as big strong arms wrapped around his body tightly as if he afraid Frodo would disappear if he let him go. Frodo was confused for a moment. He tried to push his bigger friend out but the elf was too big and too heavy.
"Legolas let me go. So I can go look for Elrond," Frodo said softly as he tried to shake the elf off again.
But in return, Legolas tightened his embrace and shook his head for 'no' as he started shedding his relieved tears.
"What's wrong, Legolas? Why are you crying?" Frodo asked confusedly, concerned that the elf might be in pain and wanted a healer.
"I'm fine. Just stay here with me," Legolas replied back. He lay on Frodo's chest and tummy, careful not to suffocate the boy by putting much weight on him. He listened to the heartbeat rhythm, the sign of life, happily. Frodo was alive! And that was all he wanted.
The elf began to relax. The wounds that did not recover completely made him exhausted. Legolas adjusted himself a little to be more comfortable. Soon he fell asleep again, trapped the boy in his arms and underneath his upper body which annoyed Frodo a little because he could not move. After trying to push the prince out for a while, Frodo realized that it was useless. The small hobbit sighed deeply and looked around the room boringly for a few minute before he too fell into slumber.
* * *
Outside the room, two people were having a chat-walking. One was big while another was small, just a half size of man.
"Do you think it is good idea to let Frodo in the prince's room? I'm afraid he may disturb Legolas or may cause Legolas hurt without knowing," Bilbo said worriedly while his companion smiled.
"I don't think so Bilbo. I think it is the best idea to let them stay close each other. So I could take a look and treat them both together. Beside, you already saw it with your eyes how much Frodo ran wild when we tried to separate him and Legolas."
The old hobbit nodded as he pushed the door to open.
On the big bed, Frodo and Legolas lay peacefully in each other arms. Frodo's tiny fingers clutched the elf's blond hair tightly while Legolas buried his face in Frodo's small chest and embraced the hobbit tighter.
Elrond and Bilbo looked at the sight before them a moment. They know well what to do in this situation. Both tiptoed out of the room. Let the patients to travel in the beautiful dreams. This time Frodo and Legolas did not need others when they already had each other. At least for a while before the time to say goodbye will come.
To Be Continued…
