^_^ Something makes me think you're panicking for Legolas right now... I wonder why?! =)
shadowfaxgal7; I hate cold water too, unless it's a really hot day and it's at the seaside/swimming pool/out of a hose pipe. ^_^ Will Legolas get sick? Hmmm, I don't know, but he will get wet... lol! -^.^- Thanks for the compliment!
Deana; Ooh, you've embarrassed me now!!! =S Yeah, it's strange I know. It's just with loads of viruses and that... I used to display my addy on here so people could ask me questions and things but then I started to get lots of viruses so I took it down. I'll check with him! Yeah, he knows I write; he encourages me! Believe it or not (coz there's a lot of people here who don't!) I'm 14 years old. Yeah... no lie!
Celebrean; LOVE the new name! Wait wait wait... you WANT to be in one of my stories?! O_o O-kaaaay then... ^_^ LOL, I'll see what I can do!!! ^_^ I have no medical experience either; I just make stuff up that I think you should do and keep my fingers crossed. HOWEVER for this fic, after a highly detailed review by Anarya, I don't think my usual method of medicine will work. I now hold in my hand a 20 year old first aid book with a brief chapter on the dangers of cold water and hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses... oh boy... -_-'
Mellaithwen-AngelMaiden; Thanks!!! ^_^ I know your sarcasm level Amy... remember my 'damn to the depths' comment on CBBC? That still stands... LOL!!! I'm joking; but seriously, my big sarcastic mouth has got me into a LOT of trouble in my 14 years... a LOT...
Manders1953; I know, but you see, I was reading the Carahdras (sp?!?!) chapter of FOTR and it said there, in the Great Professor's own words... "Aragorn was the tallest of the Company..." or something along those lines. The movie card saying he was 5ft 10" just helped me out!!! ^_^ I'm sorry if that was confusing... =S
Estel; Don't you even try and hug me; I'm happy being conscious at the moment!!!
leggylover03; Estel pain? Ah; just hang on a little longer...
Astievia; *blushes as red as a London bus* -^.^- You are SO kind!!! You really think it's that good? What would I do if I owned LOTR? Hmmm... I'd buy Scotland!!! And New Zealand!!! Scotland is like my second home and I'm desperate to live in N.Z... I have been since I was about 6 when I saw it on TV!!! What about you? I'd like to be in one of your stories!!! I think it'd be fun!!!
Amthramiel; Thank you!!!
galadriel evenstar; Ah, well, you see... I put angst into pretty much every story I write, so I don't think I'll fail you there!!! ^_^
Yavie Aelinel; Well, my full title is: Star; Queen of Drama, President of the Sadist's Code, and Official Nutter of the CBBC LOTR Books Boards... (Also known as S.Q.o.D.P.o.t.S.C.a.O.N.o.t.C.L.B.B) Yeah... I love the Wizard of Oz!!! I'm actually writing an LOTR parody of that at the moment; look out for it some day!
elfmage; ^_^ I'm glad you like the angst!!! Ooh, why thank you!!! It's nice to know that! Eternal Saviour? I'll have to add that to my long name... jeez; I'm getting as many as Aragorn here... ^_^ Thanks for putting this on your faves list!!!
Coolio02; Tee hee hee! ^_^ Thanks!
Sparrow Greenleaf; Ooh that was a BAD pun!!! ^_^ LOL!!! *sniffle* I wanna go to Disneyland... "But why is the rum gone?!" LOL!
Anarya; Ai Elbereth!!! *Memo to Self: Never fall in a cold water-hole...* Hmmm, now you've shone some light on this I'm scared!!! I don't know how to pull it off either!!! But, I've got faith in myself... and the 20 year old First Aid book sitting beside me... fingers crossed!!! x^.^x Oh, and remember that novel-length review you sent me?! ^_^ It's absolutely fine with me! In fact, I'm flattered that you asked! ^_^ Please go right ahead; I can't WAIT to see what you come up with!!!
eruve tinwen; LOL!!! ^_^
Joee1; LOL!!! Poor internet guy! I feel for him! Nice to know that; thanks for the review!
Mysterious Jedi; -^.^- Ooh, thank you!!! So you like my writing then?
Stoneage Woman; *gulp* That doesn't sound good... thanks for the compliments, and yes; the amount of trouble those two have gotten into in 3 short years is unbelievable... and there's so much more to come!!! This is the LIGHT drama at the moment; wait till they start "getting on the wrong side of people"... =)
Lainfaer; Can he swim? Hmmm, you'll have to read and find out... =) Why thank you! ^_^
Terreis; *huggles Terreis* YOU'RE BACK!!! ^_^ Too right you should be worried about Legolas... he just fell through ice into cold water!!! ^_^ Lol!
So... on with the story... ^_^
.: Chapter Five :.
Elrond ran a hand through his dark raven hair. His head was pounding from stress and worry, and all the while the snow seemed to fall heavier from the sky. Glorfindel, seeing his friend's fretting, placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down," he said softly.
Elrond shook his head hopelessly, managing a slight laugh that was full of what seemed to be regret.
"What is it about those two that they seem to cause me more anxiousness than the twins ever have? I am sure Glorfindel, that if I was not blessed with immortality I would have gone completely grey by now; in five years they've scared me more times than the valley's most terrifying ghost tale..."
Glorfindel smiled ruefully and said nothing. There was nothing he could say in this situation anyway...
"Ada! Quick!!!"
Elrond turned on his heel to see Elrohir running towards him, dragging behind him by the sleeve...
"Estel!"
His concern mounted slightly as the teenager fell into a fit of harsh coughing. Estel's face reddened slightly as the sharpness of the air's claws tore at his throat. Elrond pulled him towards him and rubbed his back gently. Finally the coughs subsided, and the Elven Lord was able to hug his youngest.
"Don't you dare do that again, do you understand?!" he told him. He didn't know whether to be angry at the boy or to weep with joy that he had found him. Parental instinct took over and he let a tear fall from his eye. "Understand?!"
"Aye Ada," gasped Estel. His nose was running even more now.
Elrond looked his son over and recognised the symptoms. "You've been out in the cold for too long; you're sick."
Estel suddenly felt very sleepy. "Am I Ada?" he asked, yawning as he finished. He slumped awkwardly into a soft chair that was conveniently close and felt Elrond's hand run across his brow as his eyes slid shut wearily. "I hadn't noticed..."
With that, he fell fast asleep...
~*~*~*~
His eyes widened under the water as the sudden drop in temperature made all his muscles seize up. He almost went to gasp for air, but forcibly stopped himself; reminding his shocked body that he was still under the water.
He could see the stars through the ripples at the hole he had fallen through... the scene was hauntingly beautiful.
He needed air. His lungs were burning like fire inside his frozen body. His feet brushed the bottom of the water hole and a sudden surge of hope instilled new life in him. It started in his toes and snaked its way up his legs until, after what felt like an Age, he was able to push himself up with force...
His arm smashed through the thin ice like it was paper, crystals of ice flying through the air, catching the moonlight as it poked through the stormy clouds. Legolas gasped in air through his mouth, water dripping from his hair in rivulets down into his eyes, but he could barely get enough in as his diaphragm was tight from the icy water.
He waded as best he could through the ice, breaking it into small pieces with his hands by hitting down on it.
And suddenly he found himself crawling on his hands and knees up the bank; dragging his sodden and almost unresponsive body into the open snowy cold.
Legolas could do nothing as the whole world tilted sickeningly in front of his eyes, sending nauseous waves through him. He was relieved when he sank into a world of black and blissful oblivion...
~*~*~*~
Estel had been carried to the healing room by Glorfindel. There was not much that Elrond could do; he had only a bad cold which time and good care would heal. Right now they were more worried about Legolas who still hadn't been found.
He blinked awake to find himself tucked up warmly in bed, the room lit by the soft glow of a warm and welcome fire in the fireplace and a hot mug of steaming tea at his bedside.
Estel could still hear the noises of people scurrying around outside, the shouting outside in the grounds... he didn't understand why the whole place was still in an uproar; he was home, was he not?
What everyone had neglected to tell Estel was that Legolas was still missing; not through their own faults of course, but through sheer panic.
Estel watched in silence as Elladan opened the door quietly. The Elf tiptoed into the room and headed for Elrond's collection of supplies. He had expected the human to still be sleeping, so when he glanced over to check that Estel's very mild fever hadn't increased at all...
Estel suppressed a laugh as Elladan jumped back at the sight of the fully awake boy. The Elf regained himself and looked at him as though scolding, though a teasing twinkle remained in his eye.
Elladan lifted a bag of healing herbs from the shelf near Estel's bed. He looked back at the young figure propped up on the pillows, a red nose contrasting against paler-than-normal skin. He opened it, concentrating on the contents and ensuring that they were all there.
"We're going off for a while. Ada says that you are to stay here." He paused, thinking for a moment. "And you are to remain in bed." He emphasised the words; he knew Estel too well...
"But I want to come!" said Estel.
"You can't Estel; you're sick!" replied Elladan. He didn't need this right now; he was worried and weary and did not appreciate being antagonized at this moment in time.
"It's only a cold. I'm fine... perfectly fine!" whined Estel, before erupting into more coughs.
Elladan glared, and all hint of jest had left his face. "No." he growled.
Estel groaned and scowled. Leaving that afternoon had not helped; it seemed that his family treated him even more like a child than before! "I want to help you!" protested the teenager. "I'll take my sword-"
"Estel!" shouted Elladan angrily. "Why won't you learn, you are too young!"
"I am fourteen years old, Elladan!" replied the teenager, spitting his older brother's name. "I can take care of myself-"
"You are a child!" bellowed the raven-haired Elf angrily. This time... this time, Estel had gone too far. He had sent everyone to the edge of sanity worrying over him, caused their young friend to go off on a fruitless search looking for him, and now wouldn't even obey instructions to keep him safe. No; the older twin was fed up with his brother's stubborn behaviour...
"And don't try to tell me otherwise!" he cut in when the boy opened his mouth. "You act like a child, even now! Hasn't it occurred to you to wonder where Legolas is?!"
Estel was stunned. "Well I... see... erm... no," came his final reply. He had been so wrapped up in his own little world where he was determined to impress and show his family just what he could do that he had completely forgotten about the Mirkwood Elf. At this thought a pang of guilt wormed into his stomach...
Elladan seethed. "He went out there to look for you!!!" He jutted his finger angrily towards the window. "He panicked and went out because he was worried sick about you!!!"
Estel's mouth dropped open. His gaze went again to the whirling snow that fell from the stormy sky. "He's... he's out, out there?!" And suddenly he realised why Elrohir had been so scared when he had informed him that Legolas hadn't accompanied him. Nobody knew where the Elf Prince was.
"Yes," snapped Elladan coldly, turning away from his little brother. He ran his long fingers through his hair, distressed, and he gave a great sigh. "And he hasn't come back..."
~*~*~*~
The snow drifted down from the grey skies, the white flakes twirling in all directions as they tumbled gracefully through the air, speeding about when caught in the swift air, before becoming a crisp thick blanket on the ground as it fell to the floor, the din of creaking branches and stormy howling winds.
It covered not just the ground, but the unconscious Elven Prince as well...
Please R&R!!! ^_^ What do you think? Also, my dad will soon be bringing our old scanner out of the loft and checking of it works on our comp. If it does I'll be putting up all my LOTR drawings! Including the ones that go with this series!!! Fingers crossed! x^_^x