Disclaimer: Tolkien's stuff.
Author's Notes:
Please Review!
Everyone: Thanks. My faithful readers, review for a LONGER chapter! It works! Plus, I am starting to do SOME homework. Note the "some"! *giggles crazily* I will cut the review short to save time to write a longer chapter. Don't worry it doesn't mean I appreciate you any less, it just means that I care for you more, so I write more for you. Please continue to review nin mellon! (Was the Elvish rite?)
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Vana E: Thanks for checking in…this is a hurt/comfort chappie so we can all chill. Just some advice, "There is always hope." Look to the coming of LOTR three. I can't wait! Do keep reading, I am starting to scroll down to see if you have reviewed everyday. I expect too much. But I do hope to see you soon. Until then. Naamarie.
Keep reviewing! Legolas' thoughts are in italics.
Herendil had not cried for years. He had always tried to be strong because he was once a servant of Githil. I know what it feels like, Herendil mused sadly, to be his punching bag. He absently reached under his shirt and fingered the fading scars on his back.
I must find a way to help Legolas. He might die from this beating, Herendil thought, he is an elfling! I must face Githil. Putting on a determined composure he went to see Githil, a plan formulating in his mind.
He knocked on the supervisor's door and entered.
Githil looked up absently from his book. Herendil noticed that his sleeve was stained with blood. He hoped that Legolas was all right.
"What do you want?"
"I wish to make up for my interruption today. I fear that I have angered your brother," Herendil said with false remorse. He bowed his head to complete the act.
Githil fell for the façade. "Don't worry, I won't take your position away from you. But…I have to punish you for this."
"What is it, sir?" Herendil said with fallacious fear.
"Do not worry my faithful servant. You are to accompany the slave to Rivendell. Act as a diplomat so that Lord Elrond won't be suspicious of anything. I am sure you are most fitted to this job. I have my faith in you."
"Your faith in me is most underserved." Herendil responded in a humble tone. "I accept this task with my full responsibility. I sincerely apologise for my conduct today." Herendil forced himself to bow. He was making himself sick, bowing to this monster, but he was doing it for servant Greenleaf – no Legolas' sake.
"Rise. Go and prepared the slave for our trip. Ruthiun will leave at first dawn. I will inform him of your company." Githil concluded.
With one last bow, Herendil rose and left. He hurried his way to Legolas' chamber. Praying to the Valar that he wasn't dead.
Cautiously, he edged the door open and closed it. It seemed empty. Silent and devoid of life. Herendil gasped when he saw the limp body lying on the floor. Legolas looked like he was dead.
Aware of Legolas' injuries, he checked for a pulse. It was very faint and he was losing a lot of blood. Grimacing he went to carry Legolas to his room. This will surely ruin my robes, he thought, but for once I don't care so much.
Herendil walked towards the corridor, carrying Legolas' body in his arms. He is much too light for an elfling. Herendil frowned and almost bumped into a person in his trance. When he looked up he saw –
Ruthiun smirked. So much like his brother, Herendil observed.
"So, how is your punishment going?" Ruthiun asked in a condescending tone.
"It's a nightmare." Herendil school his features in disgust. It's lucky that I have learnt to act over all the years, he remembered. "The slave is soiling my robes. I have to prepare him the trip. The dirty slave."
"Yes. I heard that you are accompanying us, well, good luck sub." Ruthiun gave a mock salute and used Herendil's hated nickname. He always made his position sound so derogatory when he used the term. He smiled because he was enjoying the humiliation of the sub-supervisor.
Herendil nodded with a scowl and headed back to his room.
As soon as he was in the discretion of his personal quarters, he ordered a servant to attend to his needs and started the process of cleaning Legolas' wounds. He prayed that Legolas would not awake, at least, not yet.
Legolas' slave tunic had been removed. Probably for the better, Herendil noticed, because it could aggravate his injuries. He briskly ordered a servant to prepare a warm bath with healing herbs that would cleanse wounds. The servant seemed surprised but did not ask any questions.
While Herendil waited, he checked Legolas' other injuries. Flesh wounds to the palm, broken wrist and ribs, bruising on his upper arms, neck and face. The worst was his back, there were multiple laceration and contusions. It would take a while for even an elf to heal. He did not want to ponder the state of his mind. The poor child, Herendil's heart went to him. The cut on his palm would need stitches. His hands traced the bruises on Legolas' neck. Herendil's anger flared as he saw Ruthiun's handprints.
With a splutter, Legolas woke. He retched over the elaborately quilted duvet. He looked at Herendil with fear and whispered, "I'm sorry."
"No, I am." Herendil replied with sincerity. He looked sorrowfully into Legolas' eyes and a mutual understanding had been reached.
"Now, we have to clean your wounds and bandage them. We are leaving at first dawn tomorrow."
"We?" Legolas' brows knitted in confusion.
"Yes, it was my punishment for interrupting Ruthiun."
"I'm sorr-" Herendil put a finger to Legolas' lips to silence him.
"It was not your fault. Now we must hurry and see to your wounds." Herendil said authoritatively, leaving no room for argument.
Legolas was gently lowered into the bathtub. Herendil did not care about getting his robes wet. He called a servant to clean up his bed outside and to prepare some clothes for Legolas. Tenderly, Herendil handed Legolas a towel to wipe his face.
He is so nice to me. Thank you Valar, for letting him come with me to Rivendell. Legolas relaxed then stiffened as Herendil started to clean the welts on his back.
"This will hurt, I will try to be careful." Herendil said softly.
Legolas bit his lip but could not hold back the hiss of pain as the herbs soaked into the cuts. Herendil delicately but firmly wiped the cuts. Legolas moaned.
"You are doing fine. Its ok to cry out if you need to." Herendil said soothingly but Legolas shook his head.
I need to be strong. I can't always give in. I mustn't. Legolas bore the pain in silence. The water in bathtub was tinged pink with the blood.
When he was finished at last, Herendil cradled Legolas in his arms as he lowered him on the sleep couch.
"The servants are re-sheeting the bed. We can use it after they have finished," he explained as he placed Legolas on his front. "This will sting a little but it will stop infections."
Legolas did not reply but buried his face into the pillow Herendil provided. His stricken cries broke Herendil's heart as he fought to stay focussed. Legolas' shoulders shook as he tried to control his weeping but wept even more when he couldn't. I can't cry. I don't want to be weak. Silent sobs racked his body as Herendil put the salve on a particularly nasty cut. The young elfling writhed in pain, soaking the pillow. Then Herendil quickly got the bandages out and bandaged all his wounds. He stitched Legolas' hand with the deftness of a warrior. Then he put some salve on it and bandaged it. Legolas had barely flinched.
"The ribs will have to heal on their own but I can put some cream on them, to heal the bruising."
Legolas was too tired to protest and nodded his assent. He let Herendil turn him over and put the cream on his bruised chest. He only grunted quietly as Herendil put pressure on one of his badly broken ribs. I feel so tired.
"I would get you something better to wear, but you are only allowed to wear the servants' clothing." Herendil was apologetic. "For comfort's sake, you can sleep with shorts on."
Legolas blushed slightly as Herendil dressed him. I am NAKED. How embarrassing, and I didn't even notice.
When he was finished, Herendil held him reassuringly and placed him on the bed.
"You can rest now. I'll wake you in the morning. I'll be by the sleep couch if you need me. You are brave, Legolas."
"Thank you." Legolas murmured as he tucked him in. The silk sheets felt luxuriously comfortable. For everything. For the words you've said, you don't know how much they mean.
As azure eyes locked onto silver ones they wished each other good night. Herendil knew what Legolas meant and had wanted to comfort him. That was why he did not call him a servant. He was a prince. That was who he was, not a slave.
"You are welcome, my prince." Herendil smiled and blew out the candle, leaving the peaceful silence to lull them both to sleep.
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