Disclaimer: Can't wait 'til Return of the King! Lord of the Rings is Tolkien's work. I'm just playing around with it!  

Author's Notes:

Sorry! Forgot to thank those who added me to their favourites…elfchic02 and Fishgirl! Thanks! Please add me to your favourites! Please Review! I lost the debate! Guess what, I have even more homework!

Wadeva: Thanks for wishing me luck. From the bright side, I got some homework finished cos I don't have to debate anymore…but newayz…please continue to read.

Elvenbabe: I will keep you in suspense dear…

Lady Taliana: Thanks for telling me. I do need some encouragement after getting a not so nice review. Thanks, you make me feel better.

The story goes on! …Legolas' thoughts are in italics.

A few minutes before dawn, Legolas awoke. He was in a strange bed, a white silk sheet with meticulous and intricate embroidery draped over him. Where am I? From the beauty of this place, I would say that I am in the legendary Imladris known to have mysterious healing powers. I wonder what Lord Elrond is like? Legolas continued to ponder, as he lay awake on his bed, too tired and hurt to move.  

Elrond did not rest that night. He paced his study so many times that he would have worn a hole in the luxurious floor if Glorfindel had not calmed him. The Elven Lord was thankful for his friend's presence and support. Elrond had sought comfort from his companion countless times over his long life.

Morning seemed to be an age away. When the sun finally did dawn, Elrond rose purposefully. He was stiff from last night's stress. Glorfindel could sense that the tension had not yet been relieved. He will not stop worrying until he sees them alive, Glorfindel cogitated, and sometimes I think he has overactive paternal instincts. A small smile played on the edge of his lips as Glorfindel pondered this some more.

Elrond was walking briskly down the corridor to the Healing House. He had a feeling of hope, yet he did not want to indulge himself lest he be disappointed. He strolled purposefully into Legolas' room, aware that Glorfindel was right behind him.

Legolas sat up immediately, gasping in pain as his ribs hurt and his shoulder protested. His shoulder was badly dislocated and he could not support himself very well. What a first impression! He must think I am some pathetic weakling…

Elrond instantly put his hand on Legolas' back to prop him up as Glorfindel placed a pillow behind him. Legolas winced as Elrond's hand came in contact with his bruised back, the cuts only recently re-opened.

"You should not try to sit up like that. I will have to relocate your shoulder." Elrond said firmly.

Legolas looked down and asked quietly, "Who brought me here?"

"I did." Elrond said. He was puzzled, then he realised that the stranger may not recognised him because he was not wearing his armour. He didn't know Legolas was and Legolas did not know who he was. Elrond could see a panicked look on Legolas' face. "You are safe here."

How could he? He knows – he knows about my father. Did he touch me when I was sleeping? Legolas looked down at his clothes and breathed a sigh of relief when he realised that he was still wearing his slave tunic.

Elrond misinterpreted this and said, "Don't worry, I can give you a change of clothing."

Legolas mumbled his thanks, the tips of his ears turning red with embarrassment.

"With your permission, may I check for any injuries, I am a healer."

Instantly Legolas seemed to shrink away from Elrond. "I am fine, thank you."

Elrond decided to end this nonsense. "You are not. Your neck is bruised, you obviously have a dislocated shoulder, your feet are cut, you hands are bandaged and you are dehydrated and malnourished. On top of that, you are exhausted and slightly feverish."

Legolas didn't know what to do. He looked helpless. Elrond took this as permission and moved towards Legolas to carry him to the bath. Legolas recoiled as if he expected Elrond to strike him.

"Please don't hurt me," Legolas whimpered. He wants to hit me.

Elrond could hear Glorfindel go outside to control his temper. Elrond was shocked. How could this elfling think that he was going to HIT him? Elrond was appalled.

"I won't hurt you."

Legolas was breathing fast. His eyes were still fearful.

"I won't hurt you, I promise." Legolas relaxed slightly and allowed Elrond to carry him towards the bathroom.

When they were inside, Elrond started to pull Legolas' tunic off. Legolas would not let him. I can't let him know. Father will think I'm weak for letting someone help me.

"I need to take your tunic off so I can see your injuries. I'm trying to help you," Elrond said patiently.

"I can't." Legolas shook his head stubbornly.

"You can't what?" Elrond was beginning to be exasperated.

"I can't – let you help me. You'll see," Legolas explained. He'll see that I'm bad.

"I have to see so I can help you, young one," Elrond calmly elucidated.

"But, you'll think that-" Legolas disputed.

"Let me see. I'm not here to judge you, only help. I won't ask you about them." Elrond reassured, he hoped that this was the right thing to say. He said this in a kind tone, but left no room for objection.

 Legolas slowly nodded his consent. Well, he won't know then because I don't have to tell him. He won't ask me.

Elrond tried to ease the shirt off the young elfling, but he knew that he was hurting him by the way he held his breath. After several attempts he said, "I'll have to cut it off, I don't want to hurt you. Close your eyes."

Legolas obediently closed his eyes as Elrond cut the tunic off him. Elrond was worried at the sight of the bloodied bandages Herendil had put on him. He was confused. Why did he need bandages? Elrond wondered as he gently unravelled the long strips of cloth.  

Elrond took a sharp intake of breath at the sight of Legolas' bruised and cut back. It looked extremely painful and the cuts were oozing with blood. Some of them were infected.

Legolas opened his eyes but avoided Elrond's gaze. Don't ask, please. It hurts enough.

True to his word, Elrond stayed silent despite a knowing curiosity and surprisingly - anger. Who would do this to a – child? A tacit awkwardness fell between the two elves as Elrond unravelled the bandages around his hands. With great tenderness, Elrond put Legolas in the prepared bathtub filled with water and herbs.

Legolas bit his lip but did not want to cry out in pain, he was self-conscious. Elrond left to give him some privacy and also to curse out of Legolas' earshot. He returned after a while with a fluffy white towel, which he wrapped around Legolas body. Even with Elrond's care, Legolas stiffed when any pressure was put on his back.

"I'll carry you, so you won't hurt your feet as much ok? I'll try not to put much pressure on your back."

Legolas barely nodded. Elrond seated him softly on the bed. Then he handed Legolas a cup of tea.

"This is for the slight fever from the infections. I still have to relocate your shoulder and re-stitch your hand. I also have to clean your wounds that have been infected." The healer took over Elrond.

The young elfling eyed the tea but did not take it. I don't want him to touch me, I trust him but I don't even know his name!

Elrond seemed to read his thoughts. "You won't fall asleep. You'll still be lucid and awake. I'm afraid I can't give you anything for the pain because of your slight fever. You may also have a slight concussion." Elrond gave him a sorrowful look, which Legolas evaded.  

With careful sips Legolas drank the tea. It tasted quite good, like honey tea, which was one of his favourite drinks.

"This will hurt, I'm sorry." Elrond could do nothing about it. He prayed that Legolas would be unconscious from this, so he could spare him the pain of cleaning his wounds later.

Elrond put his hands around the small bony shoulder and popped it into place. Legolas screamed from the pain and blacked out. Taking advantage of the situation, he also relocated Legolas deformed wrist and bound it with a splint. Small drops of sweat appeared on Elrond's brow as he realised the pain he caused. I had to do it to help him, Elrond convinced himself. He knew it was the truth but it scared him to see an elfling in so much pain.

Glorfindel rushed into the room. "What happened, I heard this mighty screech of pain. It sounded so agonising."

"I had to relocate his shoulder," Elrond sighed.

Glorfindel nodded in understanding and handed Elrond some tools so he could stitch Legolas' hand.

"Do you know who he is?" Glorfindel asked as he held Legolas' hand in place.

"No, but he doesn't know who I am either. I don't want to ask, he is still wary of me. I think he has been deeply hurt and he is afraid to trust." Elrond cleaned the small hand with some antiseptic and threaded his needle.

"What happened to him?"

"I don't want to ask. It's unfair to expect an answer, seeing that I am a stranger. What happened to the older one? Do you know who he is?" Elrond changed the topic of the conversation.

"He is still in a healing sleep. We don't know how long he will be, but the healer is hopeful that he will wake. It may take a while. The knife did cut dim deeply and he did lose a lot of blood," Glorfindel relayed to him what the healer said.    

Elrond did not answer but continued to stitch then bandage Legolas' wounds. He only hoped in his heart that the other elf would be okay. He opened a jar of healing salve to put on Legolas' back. Using two fingers, he dipped them into the green jar. Slowly he spread it down Legolas' back, into the deep cuts and the bruises that ran all the way down his back. Someone beat him then threw him, Elrond observed. Who? As he was about to bandage Legolas, the young elf stirred and was conscious.

There was a small moan of pain.

"I should have warned you before. Let me help you sit up, so I can bandage your back," Elrond offered as he lent Legolas a supporting hand.   

As soon as he was sitting, Elrond ran his hands quickly down Legolas' chest. Legolas pulled back from the touch.

"Your ribs are badly broken. I will have to bind them," Elrond said. It was what he had suspected. With the telltale bruises on the bony ribcage, someone must have kicked him. He put some healing salve on the bruises and bandaged him up.

"You will rest for a week. No exception, I don't want you to strain yourself. You need rest. I can only heal you physically," Elrond emphasised.

"Yes, sir." Legolas complied. The phrase sounded familiar like – like what Herendil said. A fresh wave of guilt washed over him. Herendil. Herendil had been hurt. Hurt because of him. But I can't let him know. He knows too much. I have to stay strong. 

Elrond looked at Legolas and saw guilt flash momentarily across his features before a mask hid the emotion.

"What about Herendil? Is he okay?" Legolas voice wavered slightly as he fought to control his guilt. What if I killed him? A sudden fear filled his heart. "Is he, is he…"

"Alive?" Elrond finished the sentence. "Yes. I believe he is."

Legolas breathed out a breath he unconsciously held.

"But, he is in a deep healing sleep. You may see him later if you wish, but I don't want you straining yourself," Elrond added.

Legolas nodded. I feel tired but it doesn't hurt so much anymore. He fell asleep as his head hit the pillow.

**Dream**

Herendil glared accusingly at Legolas. "I sacrificed myself for you! You don't even remember me, or think of me! What kind of friend are you?"

Herendil turned and shouted, "I wish I never knew you! You were never my prince!"

Legolas put a hand on Herendil's shoulder to stop him from leaving. "Don't leave me, friend."

"Don't touch me, slave. You aren't worthy of being my friend."

Herendil turned to look at Legolas, but instead it was his father face Legolas saw.

Herendil? NO! Don't leave me! Darkness engulfed him leaving him screaming in the darkness.

**End Dream**

"HERENDIL! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!" Legolas yelled into the night. His bandages were soaked with sweat. The back of his tunic was tinged with blood. 

What will happen next? (Its 1:30, I had to update so I promise if the net is not stuffed up I'll post the rest tomorrow) Review please, this IS the longest chapter yet!