The late afternoon sun flooded the windows and warmed his bed. As sleep
fled, he stared at the ornately carved ceiling and listened to the gently
tumbling sound of the Bruien's waters as they echoed in the open window.
He could hear a healer moving about on the far side of the room, but didn't
change position to identify him or her. He already knew it wasn't Lord
Elrond, but how he knew this was something he elected not to consider.
Slowly he took stock of his situation. A fierce headache still raged, pain coming both from the front and back of his head. He assumed the pain dampening herbs had begun to wear off. He could feel the padding of a bandage at the back of his head that was secured under his hair. Stretching his shoulders, he felt the pull of stitches and remembered the sword that had pierced his back. The pain there wasn't strong and was easily ignored. Stealing himself, he took a deep breath. He felt some soreness in his ribs, but not a sharp sting, so they were bruised not broken. Feeling better about the situation, he shifted his hips and found a piercing jolt from thigh. It cascaded up his back and made the throbbing of his head increase. Trying to rein in his breathing, he focused back upon the ceiling, his eyes shifting for something to hold.
He gripped the blankets and he tried to shift his leg again. The injury felt odd. It was not just the sting of an arrow piercing, nor did not quite feel like a sword slash. He tried to remember when he'd felt such a burning sensation and could not. Shifting carefully, he tried to push himself up on his good arm and look down his body. The movement attracted a healer who approached.
A female elf's hand gently pushed on his good shoulder. "You must lie back. Lord Elrond has instructed for you to rest undisturbed for remainder of the day."
"I wish to sit up; surly that isn't against the Lord's command?" He arched an eyebrow at her and pushed up with his arm again. Stealing against the pain, he began to rise.
"I don't believe this is what Lord Elrond had in mind, but you'll be doing more damage without help," she sighed as she reached to assist him. Placing several pillows behind his back, the healer helped him settle in.
Legolas sternly fought the nausea from sitting upright. He contemplated focusing on the excruciating burning in his thigh, but decided that an external focus was his only hope of staying conscious against the pain.
"My satchel is over there," he pointed toward the linen press. "Could you please bring it to me?"
The healer shook her head and retrieved the item. She set it next to him on the bed. "I must check the patients in the other room. Do you require anything of me, my lord?"
He shook his head "no", dismissed the healer and pulled the bag toward himself. He sat staring at it for several moments. He wondered if the contents would actually tell him anything - and yet he felt a strong sense of concern in opening the buckle. Running his forefinger over the carved leather leaves that decorated the flap he sat lost in thought.
"You were to be resting, not sitting up searching your belongings."
Elrond's quiet voice interrupted his reverie. Looking up, he sighed. "My dreams were disturbed. My mind is working too hard to remember, I thought if I looked through these items, it might assist me in resting."
Elrond raised an eyebrow at this comment and then sat down next to the satchel on the bed. "May I be of assistance, then? Unpacking will do your shoulder no good."
Elrond waited for the elf to decide and, at his acquiescence, assisted him in settling back against the pillows.
Closing his eyes at another wave of nausea, he waited for his stomach and body to settle. The warm that accompanied Lord Elrond's touch again permeated his arm and shoulders. A gentle sense of security seemed to surround him and he opened his eyes to find Elrond's gaze focused on him.
Cutting off the question he could see coming, he indicated for the Lord to progress. A slightly raised eyebrow of frustration lowered and he watched as Lord Elrond pulled open the buckle on the satchel.
Several slices of lembas, wrapped in leaves, were extracted then set aside. Elrond issued a small sound of surprise at the next item. He pulled forth a leather bound item, approximately two hand widths wide. Secured with a leather thong, the tooled leather protected its contents securely from the elements. Thumbing open the thong, he peeled back the heavily reinforced leather to reveal thick scroll pages. The sheets were folded in half and securely sewn into a finely detailed leather cover offering a protected and efficient writing space. With a look of quiet amusement, Elrond carefully handed the book over.
Taking it, he and stared at the etched leaves on the cover, then with a slightly shaking hand, opened it. Allowing the pages to fall through his fingers he caught glimpses of life. Diagrams, maps, small hand-drawn portraits and elegant elvish writings flow toward the middle of the book. Fingers stilled the pages and he focused on a detailed rendering of a beast. The evil that emanated from the portrait was palpable to his soul, as it sent of shock of familiarity through him.
He felt Elrond lean forward on the bed and lay a strong hand atop of his own. Gentle pressure moved the book down onto the bed between the two of them.
"What is it?" The mellow voice washed over him and he felt his anxiety lessen.
"I know not," he replied as he studied the vile creature more thoroughly. "I only know I've seen this before and it sends a strong wave of foreboding over me."
He felt as Elrond slid his hand up to his forearm in consolation. "We seek information, not all of it may be good. There is darkness upon the land and many are touched by it. Perhaps, this is enough for this day? You."
Overriding Elrond he raised his eyes. "No. I feel that I had strong purpose in coming here, though I know not what it was. I do not wish to delay; it may cost more than I can understand." He closed his eyes quickly against the growing pains in his head. Breathing deeply, he focused back on the book. "We shall continue."
Two more creatures were drawn on the following pages, their forms unfamiliar and yet disquieting. A small map came next, although the path was detailed, the location was not labeled. He moved on. Spying several more unmarked maps, he paged forward until he came upon a drawing of a horse. The care taken showed great study of the animal and he shifted the book a bit.
Elrond briefly gripped his arm while they studied the picture. "A fine animal, and one I feel, that you care greatly for."
Glancing up in surprise, he nodded in agreement, although he didn't understand how either of them knew this to be fact. Returning focus to the book, he read aloud from the last completed page. "It is several days out from home. I have been beset by several small bands of yrch and grow weary of their trailing my footsteps. Yet, I wonder if they are all that follow me?"
He looked up at Elrond in mild concern, trying to cover the pains lacing through his head. The short break allowed his eyes to focus and the room to stop spinning. He returned to the text. "I journey on towards Imladris and can only hope Lord Elrond will take my concerns under consideration. The shadows that continue to breed in our realm are no longer so easily contained. Sharing these new discoveries can not be seen as an admittance of weakness. Rather, I believe that our alliance must be reinforced if we are to stand against the growing darkness. If I am to pay a price for this conviction, so be it."
He allowed himself to lean against the pillows and close his eyes for a moment. The increasing ache in his head was now was causing his vision to flash in and out. Darkness was calling and he took deep breaths to fight it off.
The bed shifted slightly and he felt Elrond's hand on his brow. A light feeling of peace settled onto his mind. He could feel the slight tremors of his body still. He felt the hand slide from his brow over his eyes. "Keep them closed. I will mix a tea that will assist in easing your pain and nausea."
The gentle words were accompanied by a soft brushing of his jaw, he then felt Elrond's presence recede. He could sense the loss in his soul and again wondered at this odd connection. Putting his concern aside, he focused on listening to Elrond as he moved about the chamber. He heard the slight rattle of the teakettle as it was taken from the fireplace, then the shifting of several jars in a cabinet. His ears strained for detail when the warm hand reappeared at his neck. The left side of the bed dipped a bit as Elrond slid beside him. Quietly authority instructed him to remain with his eyes closed and to slowly sip the brew. Elrond assisted by lifting his head slightly to aide in taking the tea, then settled him back down.
They sat in silence as the herbs began to ease the excruciating pains in his head. After a time, he felt it safe to open his eyes. Blinking he took in the dark maroon of Elrond's garment and realized that he was leaning against the healer. His cheek pressed into Elrond's chest. The arm that had supported his neck as he took the tea, was now firmly wrapped about his shoulder. Stiffening in the half-embrace he raised his eyes.
Elrond lay against the carved headboard, one foot planted on the floor. His eyes were shut in concentration and his lips moved with unheard words. As if he felt the strength of his patient's gaze, Elrond's eyes opened and focused on him.
"The pain has lessened?"
Stopping a nod before it could jar his aching head, he acknowledged it. "My head has improved greatly. Somehow, I think there was more at work here than just your tea." The tension in his body started to diminish as he realized the healer showed no discomfort with his position and no inclination to move from his current location.
Canting his head, Elrond's only reply was, "Healing skills come in many varieties. Not all are from a mortar and pestle."
Dragging his eyes away from the healer's he studied the book cradled against his hip. Pulling it to his lap, he lifted the cover back, exposing the first sheet of paper. A different hand had written these words, he pulled the tome closer to read them.
Prince Legolas,
Life re-experienced through the joys of writing, reading and
illustration is a skill that once mastered must not be ignored for the
sake of opinion. As the world rewards you with challenges, let these
humble journals continue to serve as a window to your past and a door
to the hopes of your future.
Your faithful servant,
Bellaire
The pain, which had receded with the application of the tea, returned and increased one hundred fold.
Legolas. His name was Legolas. The room swam and he struggled for breath.
Legolas. The pain in this thigh flamed in response to the throbbing in his head.
Legolas. The echo of it in his ears shot bolts of pain into his mind.
Adrift in his own thoughts, he felt his mind continue to swirl. Images flashed, the pain increased. There was nothing to hold on to. No feeling or sense of safety. The only memory that he could confirm brought him to the brink of unconsciousness. Why should knowing who he was bring such torture?
Somehow he sensed that he needed an anchor for his contorted feelings. He knew if he did not seek out a stable force right now, he might never be given the chance again. He refused to be lost forever to this sea of pain and confusion.
He reached out to Elrond to steady himself. He sought to draw strength from the frail connection they seemed to share. He felt Elrond straighten beside him. He could almost sense a subtle struggle on the healer's part, as if he was fighting not to withdrawal from their closeness.
Closing his eyes, he pulled back. He had misread this closeness and now knew that the place of safety he sought was unavailable. His body arched against the pain and he briefly though he heard is name being called. The tremors increased as it all became too much to bear. Seizing again, he felt blessed quiet as the dark finally took him.
***
A/N: Thank you again for all of the kind reviews. I read and appreciate each and every one of them.
Slowly he took stock of his situation. A fierce headache still raged, pain coming both from the front and back of his head. He assumed the pain dampening herbs had begun to wear off. He could feel the padding of a bandage at the back of his head that was secured under his hair. Stretching his shoulders, he felt the pull of stitches and remembered the sword that had pierced his back. The pain there wasn't strong and was easily ignored. Stealing himself, he took a deep breath. He felt some soreness in his ribs, but not a sharp sting, so they were bruised not broken. Feeling better about the situation, he shifted his hips and found a piercing jolt from thigh. It cascaded up his back and made the throbbing of his head increase. Trying to rein in his breathing, he focused back upon the ceiling, his eyes shifting for something to hold.
He gripped the blankets and he tried to shift his leg again. The injury felt odd. It was not just the sting of an arrow piercing, nor did not quite feel like a sword slash. He tried to remember when he'd felt such a burning sensation and could not. Shifting carefully, he tried to push himself up on his good arm and look down his body. The movement attracted a healer who approached.
A female elf's hand gently pushed on his good shoulder. "You must lie back. Lord Elrond has instructed for you to rest undisturbed for remainder of the day."
"I wish to sit up; surly that isn't against the Lord's command?" He arched an eyebrow at her and pushed up with his arm again. Stealing against the pain, he began to rise.
"I don't believe this is what Lord Elrond had in mind, but you'll be doing more damage without help," she sighed as she reached to assist him. Placing several pillows behind his back, the healer helped him settle in.
Legolas sternly fought the nausea from sitting upright. He contemplated focusing on the excruciating burning in his thigh, but decided that an external focus was his only hope of staying conscious against the pain.
"My satchel is over there," he pointed toward the linen press. "Could you please bring it to me?"
The healer shook her head and retrieved the item. She set it next to him on the bed. "I must check the patients in the other room. Do you require anything of me, my lord?"
He shook his head "no", dismissed the healer and pulled the bag toward himself. He sat staring at it for several moments. He wondered if the contents would actually tell him anything - and yet he felt a strong sense of concern in opening the buckle. Running his forefinger over the carved leather leaves that decorated the flap he sat lost in thought.
"You were to be resting, not sitting up searching your belongings."
Elrond's quiet voice interrupted his reverie. Looking up, he sighed. "My dreams were disturbed. My mind is working too hard to remember, I thought if I looked through these items, it might assist me in resting."
Elrond raised an eyebrow at this comment and then sat down next to the satchel on the bed. "May I be of assistance, then? Unpacking will do your shoulder no good."
Elrond waited for the elf to decide and, at his acquiescence, assisted him in settling back against the pillows.
Closing his eyes at another wave of nausea, he waited for his stomach and body to settle. The warm that accompanied Lord Elrond's touch again permeated his arm and shoulders. A gentle sense of security seemed to surround him and he opened his eyes to find Elrond's gaze focused on him.
Cutting off the question he could see coming, he indicated for the Lord to progress. A slightly raised eyebrow of frustration lowered and he watched as Lord Elrond pulled open the buckle on the satchel.
Several slices of lembas, wrapped in leaves, were extracted then set aside. Elrond issued a small sound of surprise at the next item. He pulled forth a leather bound item, approximately two hand widths wide. Secured with a leather thong, the tooled leather protected its contents securely from the elements. Thumbing open the thong, he peeled back the heavily reinforced leather to reveal thick scroll pages. The sheets were folded in half and securely sewn into a finely detailed leather cover offering a protected and efficient writing space. With a look of quiet amusement, Elrond carefully handed the book over.
Taking it, he and stared at the etched leaves on the cover, then with a slightly shaking hand, opened it. Allowing the pages to fall through his fingers he caught glimpses of life. Diagrams, maps, small hand-drawn portraits and elegant elvish writings flow toward the middle of the book. Fingers stilled the pages and he focused on a detailed rendering of a beast. The evil that emanated from the portrait was palpable to his soul, as it sent of shock of familiarity through him.
He felt Elrond lean forward on the bed and lay a strong hand atop of his own. Gentle pressure moved the book down onto the bed between the two of them.
"What is it?" The mellow voice washed over him and he felt his anxiety lessen.
"I know not," he replied as he studied the vile creature more thoroughly. "I only know I've seen this before and it sends a strong wave of foreboding over me."
He felt as Elrond slid his hand up to his forearm in consolation. "We seek information, not all of it may be good. There is darkness upon the land and many are touched by it. Perhaps, this is enough for this day? You."
Overriding Elrond he raised his eyes. "No. I feel that I had strong purpose in coming here, though I know not what it was. I do not wish to delay; it may cost more than I can understand." He closed his eyes quickly against the growing pains in his head. Breathing deeply, he focused back on the book. "We shall continue."
Two more creatures were drawn on the following pages, their forms unfamiliar and yet disquieting. A small map came next, although the path was detailed, the location was not labeled. He moved on. Spying several more unmarked maps, he paged forward until he came upon a drawing of a horse. The care taken showed great study of the animal and he shifted the book a bit.
Elrond briefly gripped his arm while they studied the picture. "A fine animal, and one I feel, that you care greatly for."
Glancing up in surprise, he nodded in agreement, although he didn't understand how either of them knew this to be fact. Returning focus to the book, he read aloud from the last completed page. "It is several days out from home. I have been beset by several small bands of yrch and grow weary of their trailing my footsteps. Yet, I wonder if they are all that follow me?"
He looked up at Elrond in mild concern, trying to cover the pains lacing through his head. The short break allowed his eyes to focus and the room to stop spinning. He returned to the text. "I journey on towards Imladris and can only hope Lord Elrond will take my concerns under consideration. The shadows that continue to breed in our realm are no longer so easily contained. Sharing these new discoveries can not be seen as an admittance of weakness. Rather, I believe that our alliance must be reinforced if we are to stand against the growing darkness. If I am to pay a price for this conviction, so be it."
He allowed himself to lean against the pillows and close his eyes for a moment. The increasing ache in his head was now was causing his vision to flash in and out. Darkness was calling and he took deep breaths to fight it off.
The bed shifted slightly and he felt Elrond's hand on his brow. A light feeling of peace settled onto his mind. He could feel the slight tremors of his body still. He felt the hand slide from his brow over his eyes. "Keep them closed. I will mix a tea that will assist in easing your pain and nausea."
The gentle words were accompanied by a soft brushing of his jaw, he then felt Elrond's presence recede. He could sense the loss in his soul and again wondered at this odd connection. Putting his concern aside, he focused on listening to Elrond as he moved about the chamber. He heard the slight rattle of the teakettle as it was taken from the fireplace, then the shifting of several jars in a cabinet. His ears strained for detail when the warm hand reappeared at his neck. The left side of the bed dipped a bit as Elrond slid beside him. Quietly authority instructed him to remain with his eyes closed and to slowly sip the brew. Elrond assisted by lifting his head slightly to aide in taking the tea, then settled him back down.
They sat in silence as the herbs began to ease the excruciating pains in his head. After a time, he felt it safe to open his eyes. Blinking he took in the dark maroon of Elrond's garment and realized that he was leaning against the healer. His cheek pressed into Elrond's chest. The arm that had supported his neck as he took the tea, was now firmly wrapped about his shoulder. Stiffening in the half-embrace he raised his eyes.
Elrond lay against the carved headboard, one foot planted on the floor. His eyes were shut in concentration and his lips moved with unheard words. As if he felt the strength of his patient's gaze, Elrond's eyes opened and focused on him.
"The pain has lessened?"
Stopping a nod before it could jar his aching head, he acknowledged it. "My head has improved greatly. Somehow, I think there was more at work here than just your tea." The tension in his body started to diminish as he realized the healer showed no discomfort with his position and no inclination to move from his current location.
Canting his head, Elrond's only reply was, "Healing skills come in many varieties. Not all are from a mortar and pestle."
Dragging his eyes away from the healer's he studied the book cradled against his hip. Pulling it to his lap, he lifted the cover back, exposing the first sheet of paper. A different hand had written these words, he pulled the tome closer to read them.
Prince Legolas,
Life re-experienced through the joys of writing, reading and
illustration is a skill that once mastered must not be ignored for the
sake of opinion. As the world rewards you with challenges, let these
humble journals continue to serve as a window to your past and a door
to the hopes of your future.
Your faithful servant,
Bellaire
The pain, which had receded with the application of the tea, returned and increased one hundred fold.
Legolas. His name was Legolas. The room swam and he struggled for breath.
Legolas. The pain in this thigh flamed in response to the throbbing in his head.
Legolas. The echo of it in his ears shot bolts of pain into his mind.
Adrift in his own thoughts, he felt his mind continue to swirl. Images flashed, the pain increased. There was nothing to hold on to. No feeling or sense of safety. The only memory that he could confirm brought him to the brink of unconsciousness. Why should knowing who he was bring such torture?
Somehow he sensed that he needed an anchor for his contorted feelings. He knew if he did not seek out a stable force right now, he might never be given the chance again. He refused to be lost forever to this sea of pain and confusion.
He reached out to Elrond to steady himself. He sought to draw strength from the frail connection they seemed to share. He felt Elrond straighten beside him. He could almost sense a subtle struggle on the healer's part, as if he was fighting not to withdrawal from their closeness.
Closing his eyes, he pulled back. He had misread this closeness and now knew that the place of safety he sought was unavailable. His body arched against the pain and he briefly though he heard is name being called. The tremors increased as it all became too much to bear. Seizing again, he felt blessed quiet as the dark finally took him.
***
A/N: Thank you again for all of the kind reviews. I read and appreciate each and every one of them.