Chapter 16
Gandalf's horse had barely stopped before he had dismounted. He rushed up the stairs of the grand structure before him, the limp body of the elf prince in his arms.
He laid Legolas on a bed, trying to get him to start breathing again, and called for one of the servants to get Elrond.
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He couldn't concentrate. There was an ominous feeling in the air. He looked out the window at the rain that had begun to fall, the dark clouds making it seem like it was already night.
'I think we have already had enough rain,' Elrond thought to himself. 'Aragorn, or rather Legolas, might catch a cold if they decide to stay out much longer.' He allowed himself an amused chuckle. He didn't really believe that the twins would allow such a thing to happen.
'No, most likely they have run into orcs and will need to be patched up as soon as they come back.' When his sons left the palace for any reason, Elrond always had healing potions waiting for them upon their return. Sadly, he didn't realize how true his thoughts were.
He glanced out the window once again, seeing riders approaching with great haste. He was confused when he realized that one of them was Gandalf, but that soon turned into panic as he saw the blond figure that was sitting in front of him.
'Aragorn!' He rushed out of the door, meeting the servants at the bottom of the stairs. Before they had time to tell him their message he had brushed past them in search of the injured elf.
Gandalf was relieved to see him, his lips parting to tell the elf lord what happened, but never getting the opportunity to speak. Elrond immediately started to pound on the elf's chest, trying to get his heart to start beating again. He breathed into the still form, tears in his eyes.
'I cannot lose him now, not yet. It is not his time.' After four more compressions he gave another breath. He continued for a few more minutes, but to him it seemed like an eternity.
He had almost given up when he heard a strangled gasp and, finally, the sound of inhalation, not caring how shallow it was. He felt for a pulse and found one. Sighing in relief, he started to examine the wounds.
Gandalf started forward, trying to prepare himself. "Elrond...."
"Please, Gandalf, I need to be alone right now."
"But-"
"Please." Elrond was still shaken from the incident. While his sons always came home hurt, sometimes on the brink of death, one had never stopped breathing for that long a time. When the wizard did not appear to be leaving, Elrond stood up and gently pushed him out, locking the door behind himself, all the while Gandalf was trying to explain to him that the spell was reversed.
Elrond didn't hear a word, and tuned him out as he went back to keep his vigil over the one in the bed. He started mixing herbs together, trying to find something that would get rid of the orc poison.
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Elladan was helping Aragorn off his horse after waking him, noticing that the ranger was thoroughly soaked. He gave the human a worried look.
"I'm fine."
"Well, we need to get you warm and dry as soon as possible." The twins let Aragorn put most of his weight on them, trying to prevent him from moving his leg.
He wanted to go see Legolas, and even though the twins tried to stop him, he headed in the direction he had seen Gandalf go. He stopped outside a great door, getting some amusement from the sight of the wizard, who was muttering to himself outside the door.
"Is he all right?" Aragorn, of course, didn't know the danger that still surrounded his friend.
"I'm sure he will be. Your father is in there now."
"Then why do you look so cross?"
"Because, young human, that father of yours was so worried he wouldn't even listen to me. He thinks it is you in there instead of Legolas."
When the twins heard this they started pounding on the door. "Ada!"
"Estel-" Elladan was interrupted by his twin.
"-is fine!"
Annoyed, Elladan started again. "He is-"
"-right outside the door."
Glaring at Elrohir, Elladan tried once again to finish a sentence. "Legolas and Estel-"
"-have switched back." Elladan couldn't take it anymore. He lunged for his brother, tackling him to the ground. When Elladan was declared the victor, they guided their human brother to his room.
******************************************************************************
Elrond didn't hear anything taking place outside his door. He was too intent in making sure he used the right amount of ingredients in the medicine for Legolas. As he was stirring the powder into some tea, the figure in the bed stirred.
"Aragorn, my son, how are you?"
Legolas was dumbfounded. 'I thought we had switched back. Was it only a dream?'
"Lord Elrond, I am not Estel."
Elrond wasn't really paying any attention. "Hush, now. Save up your strength. Rest while I try to find an anecdote for the poison."
Legolas was going to explain further, but Elrond pushed the cup of medicine into his hands, not allowing him to speak until all the contents were gone. As he opened his mouth to talk he felt an overwhelming dizziness overtake him. The room spun around him. He felt his chest constrict, and it felt as if his tongue was swelling.
Elrond noticed the change immediately, growing furious with himself. Legolas had developed a severe reaction to one of the herbs he had used. He looked at the ingredients again, realizing too late that one of them interacted with another herb he had used earlier. He grabbed another plant that would counteract the reaction. It would be painful, but at least the elf would have a chance of surviving.
Legolas forced the vile weed down his throat, choking on it. He felt his airways become less tight, allowing his panic to subside; but without concentrating on breathing, the pain came back to him, magnified tenfold. Elrond leaned over him, placing a soothing hand on his forehead. "Rest."
Whether from the pain or by elf lord's power, the young Mirkwood prince went limp.
To Be Continued....
Author's Note: I'm sorry it took so long for me to update, especially after that major cliffhanger. I usually write most of my chapters on the weekends, in which I finish and edit during the week. However, last weekend I was home for a grand total of two hours, and I wasn't able to get on the computer at that time. A huge thank you goes to everyone who reviewed, for that was the reason that I forced myself to continue. I do not like this chapter, and I do not feel that it is ready to be posted yet, but I feel I have made you wait long enough.
Lulu Bell: Of course I am worried about the angry reviewers. That's why there is a huge apology at the bottom. lol. Legolas may be angry enough to try to roast me over a fire. Looks over her shoulder at an elf, who is trying to look innocent. Probably has Aragorn helping him too. Whispers I'll try to keep him busy while you untie yourself. lol. Thank you for reviewing; your reviews mean a lot to me, and they always brighten my day.
Jamie: I know my cliffie was evil. I think there is something about me that refuses to end a chapter without at least a mild cliffhanger. One of friends told me that I was getting very good at it. Thank you for reviewing, even though it was only to tell me that I was evil. lol. Anyway, about the snow; in Charlotte we get snow maybe once a year, two or three times if we're lucky. Since we do not own snow plows or any other device that we would use for clearing the roads, when it snows, everything stops. (Which is great for me, with the exception that I have to make up missed school days.)
Deana: Thank you for reviewing. I'm sorry about not posting earlier. I had a teacher from Rhode Island once, and he said the exact same thing you did when we got out for a couple of days because of snow.
AAAClub: It was my turn to be tortured this week. Life without the computer is awful! lol. Thank you for reviewing, and I'm sorry it took me so long to update.
Mooshka: For me, snow is a novelty because it only snows two or three times a year where I live. It is hard for me to imagine places where there is snow on the ground for the entire winter. However, it is fun to play in, even though is is really, really, really cold. And, I don't know if you want to know or not, but since I had to memorize these formulas I thought I might as well share the knowledge. To find the temperature in Fahrenheit, you multiply the temperature in Celsius by 9/5 and then add 32. (I'm a math and science geek.) lol. Anyway, thank you for reviewing!
Elanor: Thank you so much for your review!!! It made my day to read it.
Websterans: lol. Thank you for reviewing.
Kandice: Sorry, I took longer than a week. Before you get too jealous of me, keep in mind that I lose part of my spring break when we miss school days. Last year we went to school everyday for five months (not counting weekends) with the exceptions of a few days off for what they called "spring break". Anyway, thank you for reviewing.
Elven Kitten: Don't ever hesitate to correct me. I love constructive criticism. Thank you so much!!! And look, I even helped Legolas, so now you don't have to torture me. Right? lol.
Rae: Thank you for reviewing. I may complain, but it's only because I don't want to make up the snow days. lol. I haven't had anyone review from someone so close to me. (or who had my middle name.) I can't wait to get out of the CMS school system, and into college. chants to herself Only two more years.
Marbienl: I had never thought about Legolas talking about Arwen in his sleep. I am trying to stop laughing after thinking about it.
Legolas: Why are you guys staring at me?
Twins smile
Legolas: What are you going to do.
Twins: We're going to tell Aragorn what you said in your sleep.
Legolas: (considerably paler) What did I say?
lol. I have been paranoid about my shampoo since you wrote that. I still think they are planning something worse. (I've caught them laughing and whispering, and then it stops when I enter the room.) I'm glad that talking to the spiders worked. Maybe I will have to ask them to leave me alone next time they start crawling toward me. Fror has won over my brother, and now the two are trying to scare me. They put shivers spiders outside my door, and my brother gave Fror the key to my room. (And I do not have a balcony, but I do have window ledge that I have seen him on.) lol. Thank you for your reviews, and I made sure that Legolas was alive at the end of this one.
Butterflyer: Thank you so much for your review. I've been to Chicago before, and I can say that you are definitely more prepared to deal with snow that we southerners are.
Gandalf's horse had barely stopped before he had dismounted. He rushed up the stairs of the grand structure before him, the limp body of the elf prince in his arms.
He laid Legolas on a bed, trying to get him to start breathing again, and called for one of the servants to get Elrond.
******************************************************************************
He couldn't concentrate. There was an ominous feeling in the air. He looked out the window at the rain that had begun to fall, the dark clouds making it seem like it was already night.
'I think we have already had enough rain,' Elrond thought to himself. 'Aragorn, or rather Legolas, might catch a cold if they decide to stay out much longer.' He allowed himself an amused chuckle. He didn't really believe that the twins would allow such a thing to happen.
'No, most likely they have run into orcs and will need to be patched up as soon as they come back.' When his sons left the palace for any reason, Elrond always had healing potions waiting for them upon their return. Sadly, he didn't realize how true his thoughts were.
He glanced out the window once again, seeing riders approaching with great haste. He was confused when he realized that one of them was Gandalf, but that soon turned into panic as he saw the blond figure that was sitting in front of him.
'Aragorn!' He rushed out of the door, meeting the servants at the bottom of the stairs. Before they had time to tell him their message he had brushed past them in search of the injured elf.
Gandalf was relieved to see him, his lips parting to tell the elf lord what happened, but never getting the opportunity to speak. Elrond immediately started to pound on the elf's chest, trying to get his heart to start beating again. He breathed into the still form, tears in his eyes.
'I cannot lose him now, not yet. It is not his time.' After four more compressions he gave another breath. He continued for a few more minutes, but to him it seemed like an eternity.
He had almost given up when he heard a strangled gasp and, finally, the sound of inhalation, not caring how shallow it was. He felt for a pulse and found one. Sighing in relief, he started to examine the wounds.
Gandalf started forward, trying to prepare himself. "Elrond...."
"Please, Gandalf, I need to be alone right now."
"But-"
"Please." Elrond was still shaken from the incident. While his sons always came home hurt, sometimes on the brink of death, one had never stopped breathing for that long a time. When the wizard did not appear to be leaving, Elrond stood up and gently pushed him out, locking the door behind himself, all the while Gandalf was trying to explain to him that the spell was reversed.
Elrond didn't hear a word, and tuned him out as he went back to keep his vigil over the one in the bed. He started mixing herbs together, trying to find something that would get rid of the orc poison.
******************************************************************************
Elladan was helping Aragorn off his horse after waking him, noticing that the ranger was thoroughly soaked. He gave the human a worried look.
"I'm fine."
"Well, we need to get you warm and dry as soon as possible." The twins let Aragorn put most of his weight on them, trying to prevent him from moving his leg.
He wanted to go see Legolas, and even though the twins tried to stop him, he headed in the direction he had seen Gandalf go. He stopped outside a great door, getting some amusement from the sight of the wizard, who was muttering to himself outside the door.
"Is he all right?" Aragorn, of course, didn't know the danger that still surrounded his friend.
"I'm sure he will be. Your father is in there now."
"Then why do you look so cross?"
"Because, young human, that father of yours was so worried he wouldn't even listen to me. He thinks it is you in there instead of Legolas."
When the twins heard this they started pounding on the door. "Ada!"
"Estel-" Elladan was interrupted by his twin.
"-is fine!"
Annoyed, Elladan started again. "He is-"
"-right outside the door."
Glaring at Elrohir, Elladan tried once again to finish a sentence. "Legolas and Estel-"
"-have switched back." Elladan couldn't take it anymore. He lunged for his brother, tackling him to the ground. When Elladan was declared the victor, they guided their human brother to his room.
******************************************************************************
Elrond didn't hear anything taking place outside his door. He was too intent in making sure he used the right amount of ingredients in the medicine for Legolas. As he was stirring the powder into some tea, the figure in the bed stirred.
"Aragorn, my son, how are you?"
Legolas was dumbfounded. 'I thought we had switched back. Was it only a dream?'
"Lord Elrond, I am not Estel."
Elrond wasn't really paying any attention. "Hush, now. Save up your strength. Rest while I try to find an anecdote for the poison."
Legolas was going to explain further, but Elrond pushed the cup of medicine into his hands, not allowing him to speak until all the contents were gone. As he opened his mouth to talk he felt an overwhelming dizziness overtake him. The room spun around him. He felt his chest constrict, and it felt as if his tongue was swelling.
Elrond noticed the change immediately, growing furious with himself. Legolas had developed a severe reaction to one of the herbs he had used. He looked at the ingredients again, realizing too late that one of them interacted with another herb he had used earlier. He grabbed another plant that would counteract the reaction. It would be painful, but at least the elf would have a chance of surviving.
Legolas forced the vile weed down his throat, choking on it. He felt his airways become less tight, allowing his panic to subside; but without concentrating on breathing, the pain came back to him, magnified tenfold. Elrond leaned over him, placing a soothing hand on his forehead. "Rest."
Whether from the pain or by elf lord's power, the young Mirkwood prince went limp.
To Be Continued....
Author's Note: I'm sorry it took so long for me to update, especially after that major cliffhanger. I usually write most of my chapters on the weekends, in which I finish and edit during the week. However, last weekend I was home for a grand total of two hours, and I wasn't able to get on the computer at that time. A huge thank you goes to everyone who reviewed, for that was the reason that I forced myself to continue. I do not like this chapter, and I do not feel that it is ready to be posted yet, but I feel I have made you wait long enough.
Lulu Bell: Of course I am worried about the angry reviewers. That's why there is a huge apology at the bottom. lol. Legolas may be angry enough to try to roast me over a fire. Looks over her shoulder at an elf, who is trying to look innocent. Probably has Aragorn helping him too. Whispers I'll try to keep him busy while you untie yourself. lol. Thank you for reviewing; your reviews mean a lot to me, and they always brighten my day.
Jamie: I know my cliffie was evil. I think there is something about me that refuses to end a chapter without at least a mild cliffhanger. One of friends told me that I was getting very good at it. Thank you for reviewing, even though it was only to tell me that I was evil. lol. Anyway, about the snow; in Charlotte we get snow maybe once a year, two or three times if we're lucky. Since we do not own snow plows or any other device that we would use for clearing the roads, when it snows, everything stops. (Which is great for me, with the exception that I have to make up missed school days.)
Deana: Thank you for reviewing. I'm sorry about not posting earlier. I had a teacher from Rhode Island once, and he said the exact same thing you did when we got out for a couple of days because of snow.
AAAClub: It was my turn to be tortured this week. Life without the computer is awful! lol. Thank you for reviewing, and I'm sorry it took me so long to update.
Mooshka: For me, snow is a novelty because it only snows two or three times a year where I live. It is hard for me to imagine places where there is snow on the ground for the entire winter. However, it is fun to play in, even though is is really, really, really cold. And, I don't know if you want to know or not, but since I had to memorize these formulas I thought I might as well share the knowledge. To find the temperature in Fahrenheit, you multiply the temperature in Celsius by 9/5 and then add 32. (I'm a math and science geek.) lol. Anyway, thank you for reviewing!
Elanor: Thank you so much for your review!!! It made my day to read it.
Websterans: lol. Thank you for reviewing.
Kandice: Sorry, I took longer than a week. Before you get too jealous of me, keep in mind that I lose part of my spring break when we miss school days. Last year we went to school everyday for five months (not counting weekends) with the exceptions of a few days off for what they called "spring break". Anyway, thank you for reviewing.
Elven Kitten: Don't ever hesitate to correct me. I love constructive criticism. Thank you so much!!! And look, I even helped Legolas, so now you don't have to torture me. Right? lol.
Rae: Thank you for reviewing. I may complain, but it's only because I don't want to make up the snow days. lol. I haven't had anyone review from someone so close to me. (or who had my middle name.) I can't wait to get out of the CMS school system, and into college. chants to herself Only two more years.
Marbienl: I had never thought about Legolas talking about Arwen in his sleep. I am trying to stop laughing after thinking about it.
Legolas: Why are you guys staring at me?
Twins smile
Legolas: What are you going to do.
Twins: We're going to tell Aragorn what you said in your sleep.
Legolas: (considerably paler) What did I say?
lol. I have been paranoid about my shampoo since you wrote that. I still think they are planning something worse. (I've caught them laughing and whispering, and then it stops when I enter the room.) I'm glad that talking to the spiders worked. Maybe I will have to ask them to leave me alone next time they start crawling toward me. Fror has won over my brother, and now the two are trying to scare me. They put shivers spiders outside my door, and my brother gave Fror the key to my room. (And I do not have a balcony, but I do have window ledge that I have seen him on.) lol. Thank you for your reviews, and I made sure that Legolas was alive at the end of this one.
Butterflyer: Thank you so much for your review. I've been to Chicago before, and I can say that you are definitely more prepared to deal with snow that we southerners are.
