@Lucy : Good luck with your hyper kids! (And they call you Kid?)
@Alkvingiel : Thank you for those Orli pics and Pippin's! They are awesome! I'm making them my screensaver! (I do not have that lightning flashed pic. Sorry. But maybe we can find it somewhere on hundreds of OB's fan sites! And that will be a very heavy search!)
@feanen : Yes. You have thought correctly.
@Stephanie Lou : Sorry for being so cruel. (grin evilly) Actually, I'm not sorry at all. He he.
@purplesmackers : I also LOVE Hallmark channel! Those 'feel good' and 'touching' movies are my favorite.
@DiamondD : You and your naked elf and Frodo! LOL!! (I love naked elf too!) Anyway, yes, Schumacher won and I'm so…arghh! It's all because of the rain! I hope car go up in flame in Suzuka next week!!!
@Lisseyelen aka Lady V : I love to hear your debate with your own voice of reason! That is my favorite past time!!!
@Balrog of Altena : Aragorn will play a BIG part in this, mellon. Wait and see!
@Vane E : I'm sorry for your lost. If reading my works will make you feel better, then please do so. I'll try to make Legolas suffer as much as possible. Your wish is my command, o madam vampire.
@Kayo : NO!!!! Not my Éomer!!! (glare at Legolas) Come back here, Leggy! If you don't, I'll make sure you wear that blasted crown you hate so much at all time, even while you're sleeping or bathing! I'm serious! Release Éomer now! (Legolas look at Kayo) Sorry, Kayo. Adromir has the ultimate control over me.
@szhismine : Still having trouble with that bow, I see. Ha ha ha…!!
@Menthol : Even the mental institution cannot help you with your affliction. They might think it was due to too much Tolkien and will send you to a 'Tolkien Addict' support meeting!! …Hi. I'm Menthol. I'm a Tolkien addict… Hi, Menthol. We are Tolkien addicts to.
@namarie2legolas : I can't imagine him moving around with a walking stick. How about letting him have a guide-dog? That will be cool! (Those guide dogs for the blinds are incredible! I saw this documentary about them once and they knew exactly where they should go and what they were doing!)
@LOTRFaith : He! He! Ad-ro-mir lives!
@tbiris : Thank you. I never thought I would do this either. ;)
@Wilmarin : You want more angst? Here's more!
Legolas : (sitting on the desk with a calculator and his insurance policy) For the wound to the thigh, that will gives me 5,000 guineas. For my blinded eyes, I will receive 10,000 guineas each. The total compensation Adromir owes me will be…hmmm…(punching into the calculator) Hah! That will be 25,000 guineas in total! Yay!! I'm rich!!
Adromir : You wish, you pale skinned creature! Your yearly wages; 36,000 guineas. Your employment benefit including three weeks vacation to Hawaii; 5,000 guineas. Your visa renewal fee; 1,000 guineas. Your insurance premium; 2,000 guineas. All in total; 44,000 guineas! Now you owe me 19,000 guineas! So get back out there and do your job!!
******************************
The people of Minas Tirith celebrated the return of the alliance army with much enthusiasm. Cheers and joyful applause shook the city as the men and women, young and old, poured into the streets to meet them as the army marched through the great gate.
But their new king wasted no time for those entire affairs. He spurred his mount faster, heading directly for the citadel, towards the royal quarters. The rest of the wounded were being brought into the House of Healing, but Aragorn refused to relinquish Legolas into somebody else's care. He's my brother. I'll take care of him, he vowed as he guided Roheryn trough the excited crowd.
The people of Gondor saw the grim expression on their king's face and the gravely injured elf in his arms. Then they also found out that half of the army returned not unscathed. Most of the men were bloodied, muddied and exhausted. The battle had claimed their utmost strength and endurance, and half of their lives.
The people sobered. Middle Earth had won over the Darkness, true. But such a big price they had to pay. Abandoning their rejoicing, the people began to help the army with the wounded, giving them refreshments and offering their homes as place to take respite. These were the least they could do after the sacrifices that the army had made for them.
As Gimli and the Rivendell twins followed Aragorn into the citadel, Éomer, Prince Imrahil and Commander Jaden led their injured company towards the House of Healing. Lady Ioreth and her assistants, as well as Éowyn, were already there waiting for them.
Éowyn ran down the steps and jumped into her brother's arms as soon as he dismounted. "Éomer!"
"Hello, termagant," he said with a relieved smile. She laughed in her tears, hugging her brother for a very long moment. "Oh Éomer, I'm glad you remembered to return!"
Éomer chuckled. "I almost forgot, dear sister. But I fear your wrath even more if I didn't, so…" His voice trailed off when he caught sight of a very beautiful young maiden being crushed in Prince Imrahil's embrace beside them. Éowyn saw the direction of her brother's gaze and couldn't help but grin in amusement. "That's Princess Lothiriel…"
"My own 'termagant'," Prince Imrahil finished for her. "My one and only daughter."
Speechless, Éomer blinked, his eyes still straying upon Lothiriel's wonderful features. As elven blood ran through her veins from her father's lineage, Lothiriel's face was actually glowing with full radiance.
"Éomer, cease that." Éowyn pinched her brother's arm. "You are staring."
The man instantly snapped back to awareness, clearing his throat in embarrassment. "Err…Forgive me, my lady. I was…err…well…"
To her credit, Lothiriel made no notice of his discomfiture. She just smiled, bowed slightly at him, and turned back to her sire. "Let me tend to that gash on your arm, father."
Prince Imrahil was frowning. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay inside the citadel. Didn't I have your promise that you will heed my every word before I let you come with me to this city?"
Lothiriel only responded softly, leaning comfortingly against the prince as she steered her father inside.
Éomer shook his head, cursing himself for being such a stuttering idiot. You are now a king, you fool! But you acted just like a love struck clown! Nice going, Éomer! That was very impressive. I bet that lady finds you very entertaining!
Éowyn hid her laughter behind her hand at her brother's scowl. She looked around, staring at the Mirkwood elves that had also dismounted and headed for the house, but a certain golden haired elf prince was missing. "Where's Legolas?"
Éomer's expression changed abruptly. Shadow fell over his eyes at her question. He took Éowyn's hand and led her out of the other warriors' way. "He fell."
Éowyn's eyes widened. "No!" she cried out in great distress. "Don't tell me he died! Please, tell me he didn't die!"
The king of Rohan frantically shook his head and pulled her into his arms. He knew that Éowyn cared very much for the elf prince, like a sister would a brother. Heck! He began to love that elf like a brother too! "He's still alive, Éowyn. But he is badly injured. His eyes…"
Éomer could not finish the sentence. It was too painful for him to even think about Legolas' fate.
So the two siblings just stood there in front of the house, holding on to each other as they prayed together for another broken being.
***********************
Faramir was there at the great door of the citadel when the King of Gondor arrived with his companions. He took one look at the unconscious form cradled in Araragorn' arms and instantly set into motion. The servants were urgently ordered to prepare a special chamber for the ailing elf, complete with healing items and such. The steward also asked for refreshments and sets of new clothing for the others.
"Make it quick!" he emphasized firmly when some of the servants were brought struck dumb at the sight of their grimy and distraught king. Faramir himself led the way to the appointed chamber, glancing once in a while at the unresponsive Legolas. Aragorn had declined Faramir's offer to carry the elf for him, though tired as he was.
After putting Legolas on the bed, the king began to undress his friend. But his hands shook so hard with exhaustion and panic that he fumbled with the catches on Legolas' dirty bloodstained tunic. Faramir saw this and grabbed Aragorn's fingers, stilling him. "My lord, let me."
"But…"
"You are weary and injured," Faramir said softly, indicating the slight bump on Aragorn's forehead. "Go get some rest. I'll tend to him."
"I will not leave Legolas!"
"You are not doing him any good if you collapse on your face and bring more harm to yourself and him! I'm your steward. Trust me to do my work, I beg you!"
The king glared and started to yell out his frustration when he suddenly swayed dangerously on his feet. Elladan and Elrohir were quick to rush at their brother's sides. "Faramir is right, Estel," Elladan said, pulling Aragorn's arm to drape it over his shoulder. "You need to rest."
"Come, Estel. Let us take you to your quarters," Elrohir said next, taking Aragorn's other arm.
The king finally nodded, albeit reluctantly. "I'll come back to check on him, later," he told Faramir.
The steward nodded. "As you wish, my lord."
Faramir watched silently as the twins led their brother out of the room. Then his eyes fell onto the short and stout figure standing still by the bed. "Master Gimli? Shouldn't you take respite too?"
The dwarf dismally shook his head. "I'd rather stay here and wait for him to wake up." There's a glint of warning in his eyes directed at Faramir. "And I'm not tired. Dwarves never get tired."
Faramir sighed, finding not the courage to say differently. He then ordered for the servants who had brought in the needed healing supplies to leave before gesturing for the healer to start his treatment. The man, one of Lady Ioreth's apprentices, had come running from the House of Healing at Faramir's urgent call. Thoughtfully, he bent over Legolas' covered eyes before inspecting the other wound.
"Which should we tend to first?" Faramir asked quietly.
"The leg," the other man answered. "The bleeding had stopped but there are still some pieces of broken shrapnel inside the hole. We must get it all out before infection sets in."
"We have treated it as best as we could," Gimli voiced out suddenly. "But some of the pieces are too far deep for us too reach."
Faramir nodded his understanding. After washing his hands with warm water, he joined the healer in his task.
*************************
From far away, he became aware of the smell of burning wood, coming to him through the thick darkness in which he lay. He wasn't sure if it was a dream or reality. The smell was pleasant though and he felt its warmth, hot and dry against his flesh. The fire snapped and crackled, the peaceful sound merrily hit his eardrums.
He had been floating in a state between sleep and wakefulness, drifting between them back and forth, in and out, up and down. He sensed the people around him, the passing of time, and of gentle hands tending to him. He slept. He passed out. He dreamed. Then he would jerk awake in throes of nightmares.
Violent nightmares. Painful nightmares…. black, burning, agonizing…. frightening.
And he was incredibly thirsty, like he had had no drink for weeks. "Water," he whispered, or tried to. It felt as if his mouth was filled with cotton, and his throat filled with thorns. It hurt to speak, it hurt to move, and it hurt to even think!
Valar, everything is so dark. Confused, he tried to make sense of his surroundings. There was a comfortable mattress beneath him. A blanket was covering his body and there was a soft down pillow under his throbbing head. A host of other scents also invaded his nostrils; crush athelas, half boiled water, steaming mushroom soup, drying herbs.
Elbereth help him, but his leg and eyes hurt. It hurt so badly that the pain ran down his spine and seeped into his gut, making him nauseous. This was no dream, he thought, touching the cloth covering his eyes. Stabbing pain lanced his skull as he moved his head to one side. No, this was no dream at all.
It took him some time to realize that he was not alone. Someone was right there beside him.
"Legolas?" Aragorn woke up form his light doze in the chair beside the bed as he sensed the elf stirring. When he heard the raspy sound of Legolas' voice as the prince tried to speak, the king reached over to pour a cup of water. Gently raising his friend's head, the man said, "Here. Drink this. Not too much, though, or you will get sick."
Legolas then slowly took the drink in several weak sips. Even that simple feat exhausted him. As Aragorn settled his head back onto the pillow, Legolas asked, "Where am I?"
"The citadel of Minas Tirith," Aragorn replied, smoothing the sweat soaked hair off Legolas damp forehead. "You are injured."
"H…How bad?"
Aragorn gulped nervously. Does he remember about his eyes? "Err…quite bad."
"How long…have I been like this?"
"You have been in this room for three days now. The battle of the Black Gate was about a week ago. Do you remember what happened?"
Legolas was silent for a long moment that Aragorn thought his friend had passed out once more. But then the elf spoke again, "How can I forget? It was a terrible battle. Did we win?"
Aragorn smiled. "Frodo and Sam have destroyed the Ring. Our diversion worked. The two hobbits managed to get to Mount Doom without further obstacles and threw the Ring into the fire. Sauron is no more."
Legolas smiled slightly. "How are the hobbits?"
"Gandalf has brought them here two days ago. Frodo was quite ill though. He had been injured in his encounter with Shelob. Both he and Sam are resting in the House of Healing. They will be fine," Aragorn explained, keeping his hold on Legolas' hand comfortingly.
"How is everyone else? How is Gimli, the twins, Éomer, and…and Jaden? They are unharmed?"
"Yes, they are well. In fact, they all can't wait to see you. But I have to turn them away, knowing how you need your rest to heal."
There was a long silence again. Aragorn watched anxiously as Legolas bit his lips, and squeezed the man's hand as tightly as he could. "Will I, Estel?" the elf suddenly spoke several moments later. "Will I heal? Will I see again?"
So, he remembers! Aragorn's heart constricted. How should I reply to that when I am unsure of the answer?
The man glanced sadly at the newly changed bandage over Legolas' eyes. He had made the change himself only an hour ago. Faramir and the healer had done a good job in treating the prince the first time he was brought here. The burnt and puckered skin of Legolas' upper face was healing nicely, as were his singed eyebrows. His beautiful features would not be forever marred, that was for sure. Though still not fully mended, the serious injury in Legolas' thigh had stopped festering. It needed to be frequently cleansed and medicinal salve was to be applied everyday.
But his eyes, now that was a different story. The usually bright silver orbs were now lifeless and without light, unseeing and not responding. Knowing how delicate the condition of his eyes were, they kept the bandage over them so as not to catch unwanted infection and make it even worse.
"Estel, your silence is only hurting me," Legolas said after Aragorn's long muteness. "Will I see again or not?"
The king sighed and leaned down to kiss the elf's forehead. "Honestly, Legolas, I do not know. Forgive me, but I do not know."
Legolas' lips trembled, choking on his tears of sorrow. "Then please, leave me."
Aragorn was startled. "What did you say?"
"I want to be alone. I…I want to sleep. Please, Estel. Please leave."
Aragorn stared in disbelief at his friend. He didn't want to leave the elf. He didn't want Legolas to suffer all alone by himself. No, not like this. But Legolas had let go of his hand and turned his face away, dismissing him.
Understanding the privacy that the elf needed to express his grief, the man relented. "As you wish, Legolas. But we are never far from you. Just call and we'll come running."
From Legolas, there was no response.
TBC…