Disclaimer: This story was written for enjoyment only. I do not own any of Tolkien's characters.
Author's Note: Another big thank you to all! I appreciate you staying with my story through both its ups and downs. As promised, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it! :)
Relesen Chapter 13
With unrestrained force the raven-haired elf yanked Legolas from the chair he had been sitting in moments before pulling him forward until their faces were but mere inches apart. Elladan's anguish filled gaze glared back at Legolas as his hands grasped reflexively around the archer's forearms beneath them exerting an oppressive pressure upon the still recovering flesh. Legolas bit back a pain-filled moan as his mind reeled trying to come up with the words to explain to the distraught elder brother the damage he had caused. His reply never came forthwith, for at that moment upon the bed beside them Aragorn's body began to seize. His neck and head arched backwards upon the pillow beneath him as a stifled gasp escaped his lips. All previous motion within the chamber stilled as both elves turned their eyes toward the suffering victim, whose body was now consumed with ongoing tremors.
"Estel!" Elladan cried out in fear immediately dropping Legolas' arms and moving forward to the bed to clasp his brother's shoulders in an attempt to calm him. " Estel? Estel? Dear Elbereth, help him!" He beseeched to the heavy air surrounding them unable to control the mounting trepidation building up inside of himself. "Please, Estel! Do not do this! Do not die on me, brother!"
Elladan quickly turned a desperate eye toward the elf beside him. "Legolas, get my father now!" The raven-haired elf demanded.
But the Silvan elf remained rooted to the spot in which he now stood as his horror acted to disable him, while Elladan's last words played over and over again in his mind. 'Do not die on me, brother!' The archer's own mind screamed out in response. 'He is dying!'
"Legolas!" Elladan shrieked again noting the elf's immobility. "Legolas, do something!" But the fair-haired archer made no attempt to move.
Sudden indecision plagued Elladan's thoughts as he disputed in his mind whether to remain with his brother or go seek help until finally a choice was wrested from him. Breaking his hands away from this brother's body, he pushed past the motionless elf beside him and raced toward the door. His shouts immediately filled the hallway outside the room as he desperately sought out the aid of others. Mere moments passed, but it was enough. For in those seconds that elapsed the spasms that wracked Aragorn's body gradually began to decrease in their intensity and duration. Legolas stared on speechless as he believed he was witnessing the departure of his friend's spirit from this life.
This was not to be, however. Immediately a small influx of people rushed into the room, and he was pushed aside, as they made their way toward the bed that Aragorn laid upon. As Legolas stood in shocked silence, he noted that Lord Elrond was amongst their number.
Not allowing his flowing robe to encumber him, the elf lord gathered upon the bed beside his son. His eyes were intent and his face marked with lines of concern. One of his slender hands moved forward to touch his son's brow while the other sought out the Man's now quieting forearm sliding down its length until it encircled his wrist. Without word, Elrond continued his examination as the fingers of one hand found his son's pulse point, while the other moved toward the still closed eyes using both his thumb and index finger to reveal their concealed gaze.
"What is it, Father?" Elladan's anxious inquiry broke into the silence around them, as he finally put to voice the fear that consumed him. "Is...is Estel dying?"
The elf lord's eyes remained fixed upon his youngest, while his hands continued their cursory motions, but his answer brought relief to those surrounding him. "No, he is not dying, Elladan. Though still rapid, the pulse that beats within him is much stronger."
"Then he isn't going to . . . " Elladan's voice broke off as he was overcome with a rush of emotion and relief.
Another similar voice took his place as it asked. "Then what brought about these tremors that seized him, Father?"
Finally turning toward the small crowd assembled, Elrond answered the younger twin's question. "It seems that Estel is trying to find his way back to us, Elrohir. I have witnessed similar signs like this before in the Houses of Healing amongst the race of Men with those, who have experienced trauma akin to your brother's. Sometimes their return to consciousness have been marked by these strange and somewhat frightening reactions instead of a calm reawakening. It's as if their bodies are combating against the forces keeping them beneath the shroud of unawareness."
"Then this is a good sign?" Elladan inquired incredulously.
"It would seem so," His father answered before adding. "though we should not take anything for granted until your brother does return to us fully."
"When will that be?" Elrohir spoke up hopefully.
"I wish I could say, my son." Elrond continued soberly. "Only time and your brother's constitution will decide that for us, though I believe the importance of those tending to him now is even more crucial . Hearing our voices will encourage Estel to draw nearer."
"I shall not leave him!" Elrohir answered instantly.
"Nor will I!" Elladan emphatically followed.
"Good." Their father acknowledged before turning to address those still assembled about them. "Thank you, my friends, for your undivided concern. I believe this situation surrounding my son is now under control . It would be best for you to leave us to attend to him. We will let you know if there is any change in his condition, be it for the better or the worse."
Slowly the crowd that had gathered dispersed from the room until the number remaining within its walls could be counted upon one hand. Elrond turned to speak to his eldest, but his intentions were immediately interrupted by a low moan from the figure upon the bed. Instantly, the elf lord clasped the hand of his youngest between his own two and spoke. "Estel? Can you hear me?"
Aragorn's prone body moved once again in restless reaction. "Yes, my son!" Elrond encouraged. "Fight against this veil that keeps you from us. You have slumbered long enough, Estel. It is time for you to return!"
The Man moaned again as the fitful responses of his body increased. Elrohir and Elladan stood aside as they watched their father continue to urge Aragorn on in his journey back to them. "That's it my son! Do not allow the weight of this shroud to hold you back, but follow my voice! Seek its comfort! "
Aragorn's head moved from side to side upon the pillow beneath it as if in argument with some unseen foe. His free hand grabbed restlessly at the coverings below it, as his eyelids began to flutter open until finally they revealed the glazed gray depths beneath them. They remained open only momentarily, but it was enough to satisfy his family gathered about him, and his father spoke up tearfully. "Welcome back, my son. You have been absent from us for too long, and we rejoice in your return." Leaning forward while still clasping the young man's hand within his own, the elf lord placed a tender kiss upon his youngest son's brow. In answer, he felt the return pressure of his son's left hand as it weakly squeezed his own. Elrond was unable to control the tears that spilled forth as his heart acknowledged that his son was indeed back with them. Moving aside he allowed Elladan and Elrohir to take his place next to Aragorn listening to their muted and emotion filled words of relief, while his eyes scanned the room about him for the presence of another. His search came up empty.
Author's note: Well that will be it for a few weeks as I get ready to leave for vacation. I must focus my attentions now on washing, cleaning, shopping and packing. Oh all the stresses one must go through just to relax! LOL! I hope I have left off at a better point than before. I will continue on with the story just as soon as I can upon my return. Until then! Sue aka Quickbeam.
PS: I noticed the website I used for research on archery that I tried to acknowledge in Chapter 12 did not show up when I uploaded the chapter. It is called Six Toxophological Principles of Archery by H. Kent Craig