Disclaimer: This story was written for enjoyment only. I do not own any of Tolkien's characters.
Author's Note: Thank you once again to all my readers and reviewers! Your kind support of my efforts is greatly appreciated! Please note in this next chapter that single quotation marks will note the thoughts of the characters and that the double quotation marks will note their dialogue. I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Relesen Chapter 11
The warmth of Elrohir's final embrace still clung to his robes as Lord Elrond moved away from the door and back into the room that lodged Legolas. The elf lord's eyes adjusted once again to the dimness of the chamber as they scanned the distance to the large bed, which held the Silvan elf. The fair-haired immortal's body was propped up against a large mound of pillows and though his eyes were open, his steady draw of breath led Elrond to conclude that he was still asleep. Elrond regretted this fact as he drew closer to the chair that Elrohir had previously occupied. He wished the elf had been awake during his conversation with Elrohir, and had been a witness to the fact that neither father nor son held him accountable for Aragorn's present state. Grasping the back of the chair tightly with his palm, Elrond considered all that he needed to communicate to Legolas, and prayed he could make the Mirkwood elf see how misconstrued the beliefs he held really were.
'Not a small task.' The elf lord assessed as his brow wrinkled in reaction to this thought. His gaze moved hesitantly toward the heavy, damask draperies that covered the window of the bed chamber and a small frown formed upon his face. 'Well, it would be a start.' Elrond acknowledged as he moved toward the elaborate fabric that barred any light from entering in. Taking the heavy hanging into his hand, he immediately drew it aside allowing a flood of light to enter the previously darkened room. His eyes traveled back toward the bed now bathed in a bright glow and noted Legolas's almost imperceptible reaction to it. 'So, he does not sleep.' Elrond realized. 'He is not the first to attempt such a simple ploy, though the others have not been as successful in their endeavors. All that was spoken before then did not go unheeded,' The elf lord noted. ' and it will be one less detail that I'll need to reinforce at this present time.'
"Good morning, Legolas." Elrond called forth as he walked back toward the chair beside the bed. His salutation remained unanswered, but the elf lord did not allow this fact to dissuade him as he began to settle into the luxury that the now empty seat had to offer him before deciding against it. Gaining his feet once more, he turned and approached the bed containing the elf. 'Now is not the time to provide him with the comfort of distance.' Elrond ascertained, as he perched himself upon the edge of the bed, while he continued his examination of the recovering elf upon it in.
Elrond's patience was growing thin. Aragorn's mind might be unreachable to him, but he'd be damned if he would accept the same of Legolas' and reaching a hand out, he clasped one of the Silvan elf's own within his own feeling the immortal being flinch as the two made contact. 'Good.' The elf lord gauged as he allowed his fingers to wrap more firmly about the younger elf's hand. 'He has not drawn so far away yet that a simple touch can go unnoticed. There is still some hope.'
Elrond, however, hesitated to continue in speech taking many long minutes to study the defeated elf's battered features. Though touch still drew a response from the fair-haired archer, reaching the elf's inner soul would prove a more difficult task. He could not act with haste, but instead must choose his course wisely.
Settling himself more surely upon the bed below him, the elder elf drew Legolas' hand toward himself before encircling it within the grasp of his other as well and spoke. "Do not shun my presence, Legolas, but allow the spirit that dwells within you to act toward me in the same manner as that of your flesh, which I hold within my hands. It acknowledges the need for contact and comfort. You have allowed yourself to drift away from those who care about you, my friend. It is now time for you to return."
Elrond's gray eyes focused upon Legolas' vacant blue ones. The Silvan elf made no response to the elder being's words, but the elf lord could discern the hint of the light still dwelling within their depths. It had been weighted down by grief and despair, but it still beckoned outward for contact spurring the elf lord on. "You have struggled long enough with this yoke of guilt, Legolas. It is time to release yourself from its grip, for you do him a great disservice by allowing it to take such a firm hold upon you. Do you believe this is what he'd want from you? Would you ask the same of him, if your roles had been reversed? I think not." Elrond answered his own question gravely.
"Then why do you banish yourself? Why have you allowed yourself to slip into this self-imposed exile? Now, when your presence to him could prove most beneficial? What if he were to awaken to find you gone from this world? Would it not haunt him? Do you seek to add another such heavy burden upon his already unsteady shoulders?" Elrond continued.
"What is it that you fear, Legolas? His possible death or his reaction to the knowledge that it was your arrow that injured him? Do you not trust him with this knowledge? Do you know him so little as to doubt his fairness of mind? Surely, you are no coward, Legolas? Do not allow me to bear witness to such a transformation within you now! " Elrond appealed.
"For you cannot hide from your pain, Legolas. It is an inevitable aspect to all our existence, especially among the race of Men, though our immortal brethren are not immune to its sting. For to love, is to risk, and to risk is to chance pain. We cannot control whatever fate lies before us, but we can decide the merit of what we choose to put forth. For it is within us to do so selflessly, and is it not worth all the risk if what results from it proves to be the priceless gifts of friendship and love?" Elrond concluded.
"Do not lose hope, Legolas, nor make such a decision for him by letting go! But go to him! Seek him out! For I believe it is for you that he now waits! "
Elrond paused for many long moments seeking a reaction from the elf before him, but his efforts remained unrewarded, while many thoughts still sped adrift through his mind. 'I have done all I can for Legolas, besides laying hands upon him and physically dragging him into Aragorn's room. Such action would prove fruitless though, for he must find it within himself to respond if there is to be any hope of his healing. I cannot undo the ghosts that continue to haunt him with coercion. He is cognizant of the fact that none hold him accountable for what has befallen Aragorn, though such knowledge will do him little good if he does not accept the same of himself.'
Frustration continued to mount within the elf lord as he went on with this deliberation. 'I can press this issue no further without fear that he may withdraw all the more. I have planted the seed and now must wait to see if it takes root.' Sighing heavily, Elrond placed Legolas' hand quietly back upon the quilt that covered him and made to stand. Looking back down upon the sad creature, he issued one last appeal. "Go to him, Legolas!" With that said, Elrond quit the room seeking out no one to reclaim his position within it feeling it best to leave the Silvan elf alone now to consider the words left to him.
********************************************************************************
The fading light of late day was drawing to a close upon the realm of Imaldris as a steady hum of words was issued forth from the room that held its Lord's youngest son. Beside the injured man's bed sat his long time tutor. His voice droned on as he read from the pages of the large book upon his lap, while the Human beside him lay quiet and still.
Reaching the end of particularly long passage, Cerindur took a break to reach a hand up and rub the crick beginning to settle in his neck from the extended posture he had assumed while bent over the massive volume below him. Massaging the tired muscles, the steward looked toward the Man beside him and replied. "You may be a captive audience, Estel, but even I tire and grow bored with The Histories of Minhiriath. Shall we continue with them tomorrow? " The elder being smiled.
Lord Elrond had stated to to the steward on the first day of Estel's return that it was beneficial for the injured man to be surrounded by those, who cared about him and to hear their voices. He tried to do his part by providing the family with relief, so they could take a break from his sick bed. During his times with Estel, he read to him from the various volumes of histories they had covered during his education as a youth. The immortal being could not help but feel a twinge of remorse now for all the past times when he had voiced his displeasure with the young boy's over exuberance. As the Eldar made to stand, he stared back at the inert figure upon the bed and wished that the youth before him might wake up presently and show some of that same irrepressible spirit.
"Until tomorrow then, my boy. I will go now and fetch . . . " Cerinder began, but halted the flow of his words as a noise from behind him acted toward drawing his attentions away. Turning to find out its cause, the raven-haired elf was stunned by his discovery. For there before him stood the prince of Mirkwood, though his appearance bore little resemblance to the tidy figure he usually kept. The steward like many of the inhabitants who dwelled with the walls of the elven realm had heard news of how the Silvan elf had battled through great adversity and his own personal injuries to return Lord Elrond's youngest son back to his home. Though no official word had been issued forth, the residents of Rivendell knew it would only be a matter of time, barring any complications in Estel's recovery, before a great celebration would be held in the Hall of Fire to honor the elf for his actions and to celebrate the recovery of their own beloved mortal.
"Prince Legolas . . . " Cerindur uttered, while he watched the still recovering elf reach toward the near wall as if to steady himself. Worriedly the steward continued on. "... it is good to see you. A great many of us have been concerned with your stead. I am happy to see that your recovery seems to be progressing quite satisfactory." The elf finished though the concern within his eyes belied the truth behind his words. The steward had noted the Silvan elf's conspicuous absence from Estel's sickroom these past days, and now he realized the likely reason behind it. Though conscious, the fair-haired archer appeared little better off than the Man that lay behind him upon the bed.
Legolas looked past the steward taking no notice of the words he now spoke, as his eyes traveled forward to make contact with Aragorn. Cerindur took no note of his apparent brush off and continued on, recognizing Legolas' obvious concern. "Yes, Estel still sleeps." Cerindur acknowledged. " Though I must say he is gaining more color and his breathing has eased somewhat."
Legolas looked on grimly, but made no reply to Cerindur's words as he moved stiffly forward toward the bed. Cerindur noted the increased pallor that marked the Mirkwood's elf's features with every movement he made and could only guess the extent of the protestation the injured archer's limbs must be offering up with each small motion. 'He'd be little match now if a strong wind rose up.' The steward realized, though he did not put voice to such thoughts. Instead he made way, presenting the chair that only moments before he had filled to the recovering elf. Legolas made no sound, but sunk into its comfort, before leaning forward when his strength allowed to let his eyes rest once again upon the vision of his friend.
"I shall go then . . . " Cerindur began indecisively as he stared back at the two figures. "...now that you are here to stay with him." The Eldar made no mention of his previous plan to seek out the young man's father or brothers to oversee his care and finished with. "My lord claims that we should speak to him. He stated that the voices around him will help to draw Estel out of his slumber and work toward bringing him back to us." Then with a curt nod of farewell, Cerindur nervously departed the room leaving elf and man alone.