Disclaimer: Tolkien's stuff.
Author's Notes:
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HERENDIL! …Legolas' thoughts are in italics.
Elrond was instantaneously by Legolas bedside, with Glorfindel outside the door sending curious healers away with a single glare. Glorfindel knew that Legolas did not need to be further exposed to strangers.
It was one of those nightmares again. They were so real. Legolas blushed scarlet when he realised Elrond was in the room. Oh Valar, I didn't – Oh NO! They'll think I'm nuts or worse – A BABY! Legolas was totally horrified at what he just did. I disturbed his rest.
"I'm so sorry sir, it was just-" Legolas did not want to say it. Just a dream.
Elrond could see that he was distressed and embarrassed. In a calm and kind tone he said, "Do you want to talk about it?"
NO! I am ashamed of it. I cannot let him know how weak I am. Legolas shook his head vehemently. I don't want to even think about it.
Elrond coaxed, "It can make you feel better. A burden shared is a burden halved."
This seemed to upset Legolas even further. Herendil said something like that. He could die! Legolas felt like crying but he held it inside. I won't cry. Father will hate me if I do.
Elrond could see Legolas' struggle with his emotions. Just as he was about to comfort Legolas, a healer burst though the door with Glorfindel frowning behind him.
"Your other patient has woken!" The healer was young and was very excited. At noticing Glorfindel's deep frown and Elrond's amused look he realised that he had forgotten his place. "I apologise, my Lord, I-"
Elrond stood with a smile and raised his hand. "I will tend to him immediately. Do call me Elrond. How many times do I have to ask you, young one?" His eyes had a twinkle as he strolled out of the room.
Legolas was shocked. Herendil! I have to see him! I HAVE TO! He put on a determined look but he realised he could not get out of the bed. Glorfindel looked on with concealed amusement but put on a stern look.
Please, take me to him. Legolas put on a pleading look and whispered, "Please help."
Glorfindel could not resist the elfling's look and consented. He carried the young elf into the adjacent room. Gently, he placed him on his feet. Legolas stood a bit unsteadily but held onto Herendil's bedside.
Legolas could see that Elrond was checking Herendil's wound. It was free of infection, examined a relieved Elrond.
"How do you feel?" Elrond was quite surprised that the older elf had woken. He was in a very deep healing sleep. He must have had a tough life, to be able to recover so fast, Elrond thought.
"I'm fine, thank you for helping me." Herendil looked around was astounded. "Legolas? Is that you?" He rubbed his eyes as if to dispel an illusion.
"Aye. I thought you died because of me. I though you were-" Legolas choked slightly on his words. "Going to die and leave me." The last half of the sentence was barely audible.
"I thought the same. I heard you calling me. I thought I let you down," Herendil softly said. He touched Legolas as if to reassure him that he was real. "My brave little prince." He added in the same soft tone, so soft that even Elrond could not hear his words.
Both of them carefully embraced but neither willing to let their tears fall.
Elrond moved gradually towards the door to give the two some privacy. He could still sense burdens on both their souls, but it had been lightened.
Suddenly Legolas cleared him throat and knelt down before Elrond's feet. Elrond was beyond shock and was perplexed.
"I'm sorry for not recognising you earlier, my Lord. Lord Elrond, I offer you my services." Legolas said the formal greeting from Mirkwood.
"And I too. I am Herendil, son of Renendil. I also offer you my services. This is my personal servant, Servant Legolas Greenleaf. I bring a message to you from King Thranduil of Mirkwood."
"Rise, young Legolas. I am only an elf myself. I offer you the hospitality of my servant and my household. I will be glad to receive this message from Mirkwood. But, you two need some rest." Elrond formally replied.
Legolas stood and reluctantly walked towards his room, looking longingly at Herendil. Elrond could tell that he wanted to stay with Herendil.
"Young Legolas," Elrond started. He refused to say "servant" because personally he hated titles. "and Herendil. Is there anything I can offer to you before you retire?"
Legolas looked at Herendil, sending him an imploring message. Please let me stay with you.
"I would like Legolas to stay with me," Herendil asked. "If it is possible, my Lord?" He bowed his head slightly, hoping that his offer would not be taken as offensive.
"Of course. It would probably prevent him from trying to straining himself by trying to see you," Elrond said light-heartedly to ease the formality. "Please call me Elrond."
"If you wish…Elrond." Herendil seemed to be experimenting with this. It was totally inappropriate for a sub-supervisor to call a host by their first name without a title but he did not want to irritate him and complied.
Elrond went out to ask a servant to bring in an extra bed but when he returned he saw Herendil limping to the couch and Legolas trying to convince him not to move. They were disputing over something.
Elrond stood silently as he wondered what to do. "I'm sorry…am I interrupting? May I ask what you are trying to do?" Elrond said politely.
"No. I am sorry. It is most inappropriate for us to quarrel in the presence of a host. I extend my sincere apologies. I'm sorry for offending you. We were merely working out…our…um sleeping arrangements." Herendil said nervously.
"It is fine. I take no offence," Elrond said casually. "It has already been arranged. A bed should arrive shortly. You shouldn't move, it could risk reopening the wound. I am merely concerned, that's all. May I see young Legolas for a moment?"
Herendil was alarmed and protective. He bowed. From his point he could see that Legolas was terrified. "My Lord, please, it was not his fault. Please don't punish him. He didn't deliberately anger you, it was a mistake. I just wanted him to sleep more comfortably because of his dislocated shoulder. It was my entire fault. Please don't punish him," Herendil beseeched.
Elrond was aghast that Herendil thought that he was going to hurt Legolas. They are so fearful of authority, he thought. "Relax. I am not angry with you or your companion. I just wanted to change his bandages to prevent the infection from getting worse. I won't punish him." Elrond could scarcely believe it. Herendil thought he was going to hurt the young one. "I would never hurt a child."
At that moment, the servants came in with the extra bed. They were quietly starting to place it next to the other one.
"Do you want to change your bandages here, or somewhere more private?" Elrond asked, breaking the awkward silence smoothly.
"Somewhere else, if it is possible, Master Elrond."
Elrond bent to carry Legolas up, but he shied away, instead limping behind Elrond. The Elven Lord slowed his steps so Legolas would not strain himself.
When they were in the privacy of Legolas' original room Elrond closed the door. Legolas was scared.
Elrond wanted to clarify some things.
"Legolas Greenleaf, look at me. I am not your master. I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you intentionally, I promise. You don't have to fear me." Elrond spoke clearly and sincerely.
Legolas looked at Elrond. "But you are a Lord…Mas- Elrond, "Legolas said doubtfully. He fiddled with his fingers.
Elrond tilted his head up and said. "I am your friend, if you will let me, Legolas."
"A friend?" Legolas asked.
Elrond was shocked again. This young elf did not know what a friend was? "A friend is someone who cares for you very much," he explained.
"You care about me? But why would you?" Legolas questioned disbelievingly.
"I care about you very much. Like Herendil. He is your friend, is he not? I care for you because you are Legolas, a friend," Elrond said. He hasn't had anyone to care for him, Elrond sadly thought.
"But I can't pay you back! I'm too weak and I'm only a pathetic slave!" Legolas' eyes widened as he realised what he said. He froze.
"Who told you that?" Elrond lowered his voice, trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
"I'm – I'm sorry."
"Whoever told you that should be sorry. Tell me who it was.
"I can't," Legolas stuttered. I would betray my father. I would be weak. I can't.
"Why can't you tell me, little one?" Elrond asked unwearyingly.
I can't. Legolas was silent. But his unwillingness to answer, Elrond understood the tacit message. Elrond knew that it was unhealthy for Legolas to bottle it up inside him but he didn't want to push him yet. Legolas still didn't trust Elrond, seeing that they did just meet. As the Elven Lord changed his bandages, he could still see that Legolas was in some pain but considerably less. His shoulder and wrist was very tender and Legolas would not be able to use it much.
When he finished tending to Legolas he looked into the young elf's eyes and said, "If you need anything. I will always be your friend. I will not betray your secrets."
Legolas was overwhelmed with emotion. Don't cry Legolas, he mentally commanded himself. He allowed himself a small nod but he did not dare to thank him more openly. He was afraid that he would cry and never stop. I don't want to be weak.
Elrond could still see that Legolas was still troubled but he let the matter go…for now.