(Posting a short update, just so that you know I haven't abandoned this. I am working diligently and hope to have more (and longer) sections posted soon.)
From Fog to Starlight
8/?
Morning found Legolas back in chambers, with no idea how they had been achieved. Pushing himself up on his elbow he looked around the healing rooms. He tried to remember what happened last night. He felt his body warm with the memories of the kiss he had shared with the Lord of Imladris.
The door opened and a golden haired elf entered. Legolas thought that he might have seen him before, but wasn't sure.
The stranger approached the bed and deeply bowed. "Good morning, Prince Legolas. I am Glorfindel, one of Lord Elrond's advisors."
Legolas returned the greeting and bid him to refrain from using his formal title. He watched as the elf's smile gentled at the request.
"I bring apologies from my Lord. Two of the Rangers took a turn for the worse in the night and he has been attending them. He bid me to come and tend to your wounds. I have arranged for breakfast and it shall be delivered shortly."
Gathering the required herbs, Glorfindel created a new infusion and brought over fresh bandages as Legolas settled himself against the carved head of the pallet. His leg wound was cleansed, new medicines applied and rewrapped. All of these simple actions were completed with a fluidity that was uncommon to even the most graceful of elves. He continued to study the elf as all of the healing items were returned to their shelves.
He noted the look of curiosity on Glorfindel's face as he turned back toward the bed. Dropping his eyes, Legolas apologized. "I did not me to stare my lord. Forgive me."
His face was lifted by a strong hand and he met the elf's eyes. "Do not worry yourself, pen-neth. I take no offence in curiosity." His smile brightened considerably, adding to the strong golden glow of his face. "I hear you are practiced in the arts." Gesturing to a sheaf of parchments on the bedside table, he continued. "May I see some of your work?"
Legolas edged back into the pillows and took up the pile of papers. "I'm afraid they are just quick studies. I was working on an herbal catalog yesterday, but ran out of samples to draw. I passed my time with a few sketches." He shrugged sheepishly and handed several over to the elf.
Watching as Glorfindel reviewed each drawing in turn, he was surprised to see a gentle amusement on the elf's face.
"You have a great interest in nature. This sketch of our pocket squirrel proves that." A mischievous look flashed on Glorfindel's face. "Is this the same one that came to the balcony last night?"
Legolas looked up startled. "Last night?"
"Aye, Elrond said that you fell asleep on a divan on the balcony last eve. As he picked you up to carry you back in here, a pocket squirrel climbed onto the railing and seemed to take umbrage with him for moving you."
A wide smile met Legolas's stunned grin. "He was quite concerned that the animal was going to attack him – or at least awaken you -- with her anger."
Legolas could feel the heat infuse his face. Not only was he encouraging wild animals into the rooms of this haven, he now understood how he had come to be in his bed: Carried like an elfling! Deciding to change the subject before he reddened more, he was defeated as Glorfindel gestured outside.
"Would you care to break your fast outside? Your new friend seems to be waiting."
Looking at the open door to the balcony, he spied the small furry form of the pocket squirrel sitting quietly. She seemed to be watching them, or at least watching Glorfindel, as if she awaited some attack upon Legolas. Nodding his head ruefully, he allowed Glorfindel to hand him his staff and assist him out to the waiting divan.
He settled into the pillows and adjusted a blanket around his waist. Glorfindel returned to the healing chambers just as the small animal crawled up onto his lap. Scratching her behind the ears, Legolas settled in. "You should not take exception to these elves, pen-naneth. The take good care of me and will see me come to no harm." Black eyes stared balefully back at him. About to continue his reassurance, he was interrupted.
"Perhaps if I made a formal introduction?"
Turning slightly, Legolas spied Glorfindel approaching with a tray of food. The humor of his conversation was not lost on him as he smiled in defeat.
Placing the tray on the side table, the elf removed the covers to reveal warm honeyed biscuits, a large slice of cheese and a bowl of berries. Selecting a blackberry, the seneschal bent and offered it to the animal sitting on Legolas's lap. Quick paws snatched the treat from the elf's fingers and she promptly devoured it.
Glorfindel's bright countenance shone as laughter filled the balcony. Legolas noted the music inherent in the laugh. There was much more to the elf than met the eye, he decided. Hopefully he would get to find out what it was while continuing his stay here.
"You need only call if you require something. Someone on the staff will hear you. As yesterday, a healer will be by to tend your wounds again before luncheon. I bid you and your friend a pleasant morning." With a gentle pat to Legolas's shoulder, he took his leave.
Offering another berry to the animal, Legolas started his day.
***
Glorfindel met Vordol in the hallway as he exited the stairs to the Halls of Healing. Noting the full breakfast tray she carried, he stopped to relieve her of her burden. Dismissing her with a smile, he took the food and entered the rooms. He passed the first two pairs of Men still sleeping in healing. Three human healers-in-training were scattered about the room attending to their duties. One of the trainees was standing next to his Lord as he worked. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, Glorfindel mused, Elrond continued to share his knowledge and skills with the Men of the nearby village.
The healer was stooped over a pallet at the far end, studying his patient intently. Setting the tray to a side table, Glorfindel approached.
"His fever has risen, again?"
Elrond glanced over, and without stopping his motions, nodded. "Yes, he was doing so well yesterday. This sudden, severe turn confounds me. I've treated the symptoms, but there is something not quite right here."
Rising, he met Glorfindel's steady gaze. "That two of the Dúnedain should begin to fail so soon, makes me wonder about the poisons we treated."
Both of the elves gazes moved to the second gravely ill patient who sat across the aisle. Glorfindel watched as one of the assistant healers worked to cool the Man's fever. "You have done all that you can my Lord, you must take some sustenance and rest yourself."
He watched as Elrond considered the patient in front of him once again. Not giving him time to respond, Glorfindel walked around the pallet and gently led his friend out to a secluded spot on the terrace. Settling Elrond into a padded chair with a stern glance, he quickly left and returned with the tray of food.
Pouring out tea, he studied the Lord of Imladris with a practiced eye. Elrond was looking a bit wan, indicating that he had been applying his healing powers to the Men in the other room. There was an air of anxiety about him and handing him the tea cup, the seneschal decided to approach that issue first. "More than the poison worries you."
Elrond took the cup and sat for some moments. "There is no reason those Men should be worsening." He sighed, then continued. "I feel – a foreboding. I have been attempting to pin down into which direction my heart is taking me, but the path is not clear. I sense no –"
A loud commotion, followed by shouts for Elrond interrupted their conversation. Both elves quickly moved back into the room. Elrond immediately took control from the human healer who was trying to subdue his patient.
The ranger was convulsing on a pallet, his breath coming in short gasps. Directing Glorfindel to hold the man's shoulders, the Lord ordered the assistant to bring a new tonic to him. From his position at the Man's head, Glorfindel watched as the healer pressed his hand to the Man's chest. A faint glow began to emanate from Elrond as he tried to calm and strengthen his patient.
The assistant returned with the new potion and Glorfindel raised the shuddering Man to allow the healer to administer the liquid. Returning the Man to his prone position, Glorfindel raised his eyes to Elrond. He was still concentrating – a light blue sparkle flashed on his right hand. Elrond started and dropped his hand back. Eyes opening, he furiously looked around the room as if searching for something. The body under Glorfindel's hands stilled and for a moment the room froze.
"Elrond?" Glorfindel moved to his side in support. "What is it?"
He looked from the Man to room one more time. Squaring his shoulders, he reached over, slowly closed the Man's eyes and covered his face with the blanket. Sad eyes raised in explanation.
A gasp from one of the newly awakened Dúnedain echoed down the room.
Gripping his Lord's shoulder, Glorfindel nodded to the assistant to take over. Directing Elrond back out to the terrace, he stopped as the healer spun and moved back toward the Men. Elrond instructed an aide to mix a new tonic and give it to the remaining critical patient. As his orders were carried out, he returned to his friend's side and they exited the room.
Instead of stopping on the tiled terrace, Elrond continued down a set of short steps and into a lower garden. Shaking out his robes, he lowered himself to a bench as Glorfindel took a place beside him.
"Talk to me, mellon-nin. I know losing a human under your care is never easy. But this is not your brother –" he paused at the look on his Lord's face. "This is more than the loss of a mortal, isn't it?"
Elrond pressed a hand to his brow. "I felt a -- a malice – around the Man. I sensed a clear intent for evil as I tried to help him. This was no ordinary relapse and the air about the body fairly sang with danger."
Glorfindel thought of the flare of blue he'd witnessed. "Vilya offered you a warning."
Startled, Elrond raised his gaze to meet the knowing look. Glorfindel nodded at the unasked question. "For just a moment, I saw it flash. There was no mistaking the power of the Valar in that light."
"No, to one who has seen them, there would be no mistaking it."
Glorfindel dropped his eyes at the reminder and silence enfolded them. Gathering his thoughts, he turned to Elrond. "Midday will soon approach. There will be no answer to your exhausted mind."
Elrond cut him off. "I am not that tired. You know as well as I do that elves can go for –"
Laying a strong hand upon his arm, Glorfindel quieted him. "Yes, we all can go without sleep for extended periods. However, most of us do not share our life spirit with the sick. Most of us to not draw energy from the Valar to cure the injured – while, I might point out, hiding the use of the magic from prying eyes. Most of us have not been tending injured elves and Men without full rest and nourishment for days on end. Most of us –"
Elrond's amused look finally stopped the recital. "All right, mellon-nin, I concede your point, I shall rest." He stood and straightened his robe then moved toward the house. Turning, Elrond waited until Glorfindel's eyes met his. "Are you sure that the siege at Gondolin was not won by your listing the follies of the enemy instead of fighting it?" Without awaiting a response, he spun on his heel and moved up the stairs.
***
Elrond entered his chambers still ruminating on the feelings he was sensing. Imladris had always been such location of peace that disruptions were felt all the more strongly. His heart told him his sons were currently safe, no matter the danger of their current quest. That certainty put some reassurance to his actions as he prepared for rest. He decided he needed to trust in his advisors and guard captains to see to their responsibilities and the protection of his lands.
Shrugging out of his robes, Elrond removed his tunic and leggings. Taking a fresh nightshirt from the wardrobe, he slid the cool lawn material down and climbed into bed. The pull on his body from the continued sharing of his feä to supplement the life force of the Men was draining. In exhaustion, his eyes glazed into sleep.
***
His rest was disturbed. At first his mind asked if this was a dreamscape – the intensity of the feeling was so strong. Analyzing the feelings, he knew this to be no dream and sat up in bed. Surveying the room, he could find nothing amiss and yet a significant threat was palpable. Without conscious thought, he pulled on a pair of soft leather slippers and reached for a sword that hung to the right of the door. The feel of the hilt in his hand brought him up short.
What did he feel? From whence did it come?
He tried to piece together what had awakened him when a shock of surprise, followed by rapid anger flowed through him. Swinging the sword around, he faced the empty room.
An echo of dizziness and a burning ache in his thigh propelled him toward the door to the hallway. Flying down the corridor, Elrond slowed to call for Glorfindel to join him. Not waiting to see whether his summons was heard, he turned and entered the guest wing.
To be continued…
Notes:
Thank you to all of my reviewers. If I don't answer directly, it is because you left a kind comment and not a question. I do treasure each message and thank you all for taking the time to reply!!
Starlit Hope – Thank you so much for sticking with me, I'm grateful for your patience.
Elwen – Thank YOU so much for leaving the kind comment, I'm glad this is drawing you a long instead of boring you J
Asha Dreamweaver – Yes, so many people will be finding out, several of them not too happy. But the revelations will have to wait until all immediate threats are dealt with. I hope you enjoy the continued mystery.
Farflung – yes, the evil begins to appear – and it is quite insistant. Poor Legolas g.
Jasmine – Legolas can be a bit stubborn and independent at times, but the lurker on the balcony begins to reveal its purpose.
TheSilentSenshi – our little friend is an opossum. They are native to my area, it's a marsupial, sort of like an oversized raccoon, but with a pouch to carry her young (like a kangaroo). She has taken a liking to our woodland elf and will be quite helpful to him in the future!