Hey, back again. I'm a little despondent about this fic at the moment, I didn't get a single review for chapter 9, but I'm pressing on anyway…
As always, hugs and thanks to Tina for beta-ing!
Did elves know CPR? I don't know, but let's assume they did…
Ever After - Chapter 10
//Wake me up inside,
Call my name and save me from the dark.
Bid my blood to run,
Before I come undone,
Save me from the nothing I've become.//
Bring me to life - Evanescence
"What are we going to do?" Aragorn asked Elrond as he cradled the still form of Glorfindel in his arms.
"His heart has stopped. We must try to restart it." Elrond replied quickly. "But we do not have long. If we cannot restart his heart in a few minutes, his brain will die also. You must help me. Lay him down; tilt his head back and make sure nothing can block his airway. When I tell you, cover his mouth with yours and breathe deeply. Your aim it to get air into his lungs. Do you understand?" Aragorn nodded. "Good. Now, breathe ten strong breaths into him." The peredhil ordered. Aragorn dipped his head and began to administer the breath of life to the fallen elf. Glorfindel's chest rose and fell as Aragorn breathed into him, but there was no other reaction.
"What now Ada?" Estel asked, his voice still thick with concern. Elrond bent over the still form of his friend. He pulled Glorfindel's shirt open to reveal the elf's chest. Locking his fingers together he placed the heel of his palm over his friend's heart and pushed firmly. Once, twice, fifteen times he applied pressure to the muscle, trying to convince it to beat again. "Now Estel, two more breaths." He instructed and watched as his son bent his head to breathe into Glorfindel's mouth again. This was followed by another fifteen compressions and within a minute, a rhythm had been established. Yet despite their best attempts, it did not appear to be having any effect.
Mind-numbing panic threatened to overwhelm Elrond, but he fought to maintain his composure. He pressed harder and harder on his friend chest. "Ai, Glorfindel please!" He begged. "Just breathe!"
Estel saw his father's fruitless struggle, knew that they had to stop, that Glorfindel was gone. Viciously shoving his own pain aside, he went to his father's side and put an arm around his shoulders.
"Ada, we have to stop. He's gone." Elrond trembled in his arms and shook his head.
"Nay, I cannot stop! He is my dearest friend, you do not understand!" Aragorn looked sadly at his father.
"Don't I?" He asked quietly.
Elrond gasped and recoiled in shock as he realised what he'd said.
"Estel, forgive me!" He cried. "I was not thinking! I did not mean…" He was stopped by his son's hand placed lightly over his mouth.
"I know Ada." He said as he pulled the elf-lord into a hug. "I know."
Elrond pulled back and looked at his human son. "Once more Estel. Please, let us try just once more." Aragorn sighed. It seemed cruel to him, to keep trying fruitlessly, but he knew he would have done the same in his father's position. He nodded.
"Yes Ada. Let us try one more time."
Legolas hurried down the hall. On not finding Glorfindel in his room, he had rightly assumed that the elf-lord had gone to see Aragorn. He had not been concerned, until he heard the commotion coming from the royal chambers. He entered just in time to see the still form of Glorfindel on the bed and Estel holding his father tightly.
"No." He said. "Please Valar, no." He simply couldn't comprehend it; Glorfindel couldn't have returned to Mandos. He was Legolas' only link to the living world! As he struggled to understand what had happened, he vaguely heard Elrond begging Estel to help him try once more to save Glorfindel. He sent a prayer to the Valar as Estel agreed and father and son returned to the elf-lord's side.
"Please. Let him stay on this world. I need his help to save it."
Estel took a deep breath and blew into Glorfindel's mouth twice. Then he stepped back to let his father apply pressure. He watched, hardly breathing himself as he counted compressions.
One, two, three; as Elrond continued to press on Glorfindel's chest without luck any remaining sparks of hope began to die.
"I will be here for you Ada." Estel vowed. "I know your pain. You shall not bear it alone."
Seven, eight, nine, Estel knew it was over. Tears welled in is eyes as he mourned the second death of the Golden Lord.
Elrond frantically pressed on his friend's heart. "Please."
Eleven, twelve, thirteen, the elf-lord cried out in pain and helplessness. With strength born of fear he pounded on the pale chest, almost hard enough to break bones.
A wheezing breath came from the still elf. Elrond and Aragorn both gasped. As the raspy breath became two, Elrond wrapped his arms around Glorfindel and cradled him in his lap. "Easy, mellon nin, easy." He whispered soothingly, trying to keep his voice steady. He felt ready to collapse; he could not believe how close he had come to losing his friend. He looked up at his son who was hugging Arwen and grinning brilliantly. A smile graced his own face then, as he held his friend close, allowing the relief to wash over him.
Only Legolas had seen the bolt of light that had shot into Glorfindel's body the moment before he started breathing again. He whispered his thanks to the Valar for hearing their pleas and sending him back.
Glorfindel groaned and opened his eyes. Seeing Elrond's face staring right at him, he started and sat up far too quickly, given his current condition. "Careful mellon nin." Elrond said quietly. "You've been through a lot." Glorfindel turned around to face Elrond. The peredhil blinked in surprise when he saw the expression on the balrog-slayers face. Elrond would have expected to see confusion, pain or fear on the fair countenance, but no, Glorfindel looked thoroughly - annoyed. "Glorfindel?" He asked, a frown of confusion on his face.
"He laughed at me!" Came the angry reply. "He actually laughed at me!"
"Who laughed at you?" Elrond queried, slightly worried about his friend.
"Mandos!" Replied the balrog-slayer. "That orc-brained excuse for a Valar actually laughed at me! Asked when I was visiting next! The cheek of it!" Elrond couldn't help himself. The strain of nearly losing his old friend had weakened his usual emotional control and he burst into peals of laughter. Aragorn and Arwen were desperately trying to hide their own mirth.
Glorfindel glared at them, but he could not remain annoyed. It was so good to see his friends laughing again. He knew he'd willingly die a thousand times to preserve that laughter.
From the corner of the room, Legolas watched. He was greatly relieved that Glorfindel had once again been returned to them from the halls of Mandos and Estel's laughter was a soothing balm to his aching spirit.
As soon as Glorfindel was alone, he would speak with him. He was sure now that their combined experiences would provide some idea as to how to defeat this dark being.
~It laughed. The forces were ready, the power strong. Now all that remained was to wait for the perfect moment to strike. That moment would be soon, it was sure. In just a few days, it would finally hold the world in it's grasp.~
Glorfindel slept soundly in Aragorn's bed. Elrond had been reluctant to move his friend, so Aragorn and Arwen had willingly vacated their rooms until the elf was back on his feet. This had caused some commotion amongst the servants, but a simple "He is my friend." From Aragorn had sent them scurrying away.
Glorfindel's eyes were closed in a healing sleep; it would be some days until he was fully recovered from his latest brush with death. The room was deserted while friends and family gave him the rest he needed.
Entering the room, Legolas smiled at the sleeping elf. He looked so peaceful Legolas hated to wake him. But there was much to discuss and the Prince didn't know when he'd get another chance.
He walked to the bed and placed his hand on the other's shoulder. "Glorfindel." He asked. The elf in the bed stirred but did not wake. "Glorfindel." Legolas tried again. "Please awaken." There was a low groan as the balrog-slayer dragged himself back to consciousness.
"Hmmm? Who is it?" He asked groggily. Legolas let out a quiet laugh.
"It is I, mellon nin!" He replied. Recognising the Prince's voice, Glorfindel pulled himself into a sitting position. His eyes flickered open - and he almost stopped breathing for the second time that day.
"By the Valar!" He cried, shocked.
"What is it?" Legolas asked, alarmed.
"I can see you!" Glorfindel answered. "Well, in truth I can see through you, but your form is quite visible!" Legolas was stunned.
"Truly? But how? You have never seen me until now!" He withdrew his hand from Glorfindel's shoulder. "Can you also hear me without any contact?" He asked.
"Ai, I can!" The eldar responded. "This is most curious! Perhaps my brief return to Mandos' Halls has somehow strengthened our connection." Legolas had to agree, for he could think of no other explanation.
"Perhaps some good will come of this then." He said. "I have also had an encounter with this evil beings dark net, now with both of our experiences, maybe we can find what we need to beat this evil." Glorfindel looked surprised.
"What happened to you?" He asked. Legolas quickly told him was had happened.
"Interesting." Glorfindel murmured. "Much is the same, but much is different."
"As are we." Legolas said. "But I think the most important aspect, is the pull on our souls. It almost killed you and nearly sent me into such darkness as I never want to experience again. I was warned by Elbereth before my return to this world, but I did not know what form the threat would take. Truly, ignorance was bliss!" Glorfindel laughed.
"Indeed it must have been! However, we still do not know enough. Both of us were pulled into darkness, but to what end?" Legolas ran his mind over the events of the past twelve years. The answer was there, he was sure of it - but what was it?! "Tell me again," He asked Glorfindel, "What happened after I died? Tell me everything, even the smallest details."
So the Balrog-slayer once more went over the events following the attack in which the Prince had died. "Then after your father arrived, there was the funeral. So many came. You were and are still greatly loved Legolas, and your death caused many great pain." Legolas smiled softly.
"As were you my friend." He replied. "Many stories were told about the terrible loss your people suffered when you fell. Ai, there is so much pain in this world…." He trailed off as realisation struck. "By the Valar! That's it!" He turned to Glorfindel. "Don't you see? It feeds off of emotions! All the attacks were very different, but all had the same result - deep emotional pain for one or many!" Glorfindel's eyes widened.
"Sweet Eru! Of course! We should have seen it before! But that brings about a whole new question - how do we stop it from feeding?" Silence met his question and he turned his gaze to the prince.
"We have a problem." Legolas said quietly and gestured to the door. Glorfindel looked to the now-open door where Lord Elrond stood, having just witnessed his oldest friend having an in-depth conversation with an empty room.
"Oh dear." Glorfindel muttered.
"You can't! You were told to remain here! It is your duty, you cannot leave me here alone!" Elladan glared at the indignant Erestor.
"That was weeks ago. We have heard nothing from Gondor in far too long. We can no longer sit by and wait." Elrohir nodded in silent agreement from atop his horse. "We still do not know how our sister fares and you know as well as we do that Estel has not been the same since Legolas was killed." Elladan continued. "You are perfectly capable of running Imladris Erestor, you are older than us and have done it before, so I suggest you stop complaining and get on with it!" With that, the twins turned their horses and galloped down the path towards Gondor, leaving Erestor standing alone in the courtyard.
END CHAPTER 10
So there you have it! Glorfindel is alive and in a sticky situation, the twins are back in the story and there was no cliffie! Surely that makes everyone happy?!
Tux
As always, hugs and thanks to Tina for beta-ing!
Did elves know CPR? I don't know, but let's assume they did…
Ever After - Chapter 10
//Wake me up inside,
Call my name and save me from the dark.
Bid my blood to run,
Before I come undone,
Save me from the nothing I've become.//
Bring me to life - Evanescence
"What are we going to do?" Aragorn asked Elrond as he cradled the still form of Glorfindel in his arms.
"His heart has stopped. We must try to restart it." Elrond replied quickly. "But we do not have long. If we cannot restart his heart in a few minutes, his brain will die also. You must help me. Lay him down; tilt his head back and make sure nothing can block his airway. When I tell you, cover his mouth with yours and breathe deeply. Your aim it to get air into his lungs. Do you understand?" Aragorn nodded. "Good. Now, breathe ten strong breaths into him." The peredhil ordered. Aragorn dipped his head and began to administer the breath of life to the fallen elf. Glorfindel's chest rose and fell as Aragorn breathed into him, but there was no other reaction.
"What now Ada?" Estel asked, his voice still thick with concern. Elrond bent over the still form of his friend. He pulled Glorfindel's shirt open to reveal the elf's chest. Locking his fingers together he placed the heel of his palm over his friend's heart and pushed firmly. Once, twice, fifteen times he applied pressure to the muscle, trying to convince it to beat again. "Now Estel, two more breaths." He instructed and watched as his son bent his head to breathe into Glorfindel's mouth again. This was followed by another fifteen compressions and within a minute, a rhythm had been established. Yet despite their best attempts, it did not appear to be having any effect.
Mind-numbing panic threatened to overwhelm Elrond, but he fought to maintain his composure. He pressed harder and harder on his friend chest. "Ai, Glorfindel please!" He begged. "Just breathe!"
Estel saw his father's fruitless struggle, knew that they had to stop, that Glorfindel was gone. Viciously shoving his own pain aside, he went to his father's side and put an arm around his shoulders.
"Ada, we have to stop. He's gone." Elrond trembled in his arms and shook his head.
"Nay, I cannot stop! He is my dearest friend, you do not understand!" Aragorn looked sadly at his father.
"Don't I?" He asked quietly.
Elrond gasped and recoiled in shock as he realised what he'd said.
"Estel, forgive me!" He cried. "I was not thinking! I did not mean…" He was stopped by his son's hand placed lightly over his mouth.
"I know Ada." He said as he pulled the elf-lord into a hug. "I know."
Elrond pulled back and looked at his human son. "Once more Estel. Please, let us try just once more." Aragorn sighed. It seemed cruel to him, to keep trying fruitlessly, but he knew he would have done the same in his father's position. He nodded.
"Yes Ada. Let us try one more time."
Legolas hurried down the hall. On not finding Glorfindel in his room, he had rightly assumed that the elf-lord had gone to see Aragorn. He had not been concerned, until he heard the commotion coming from the royal chambers. He entered just in time to see the still form of Glorfindel on the bed and Estel holding his father tightly.
"No." He said. "Please Valar, no." He simply couldn't comprehend it; Glorfindel couldn't have returned to Mandos. He was Legolas' only link to the living world! As he struggled to understand what had happened, he vaguely heard Elrond begging Estel to help him try once more to save Glorfindel. He sent a prayer to the Valar as Estel agreed and father and son returned to the elf-lord's side.
"Please. Let him stay on this world. I need his help to save it."
Estel took a deep breath and blew into Glorfindel's mouth twice. Then he stepped back to let his father apply pressure. He watched, hardly breathing himself as he counted compressions.
One, two, three; as Elrond continued to press on Glorfindel's chest without luck any remaining sparks of hope began to die.
"I will be here for you Ada." Estel vowed. "I know your pain. You shall not bear it alone."
Seven, eight, nine, Estel knew it was over. Tears welled in is eyes as he mourned the second death of the Golden Lord.
Elrond frantically pressed on his friend's heart. "Please."
Eleven, twelve, thirteen, the elf-lord cried out in pain and helplessness. With strength born of fear he pounded on the pale chest, almost hard enough to break bones.
A wheezing breath came from the still elf. Elrond and Aragorn both gasped. As the raspy breath became two, Elrond wrapped his arms around Glorfindel and cradled him in his lap. "Easy, mellon nin, easy." He whispered soothingly, trying to keep his voice steady. He felt ready to collapse; he could not believe how close he had come to losing his friend. He looked up at his son who was hugging Arwen and grinning brilliantly. A smile graced his own face then, as he held his friend close, allowing the relief to wash over him.
Only Legolas had seen the bolt of light that had shot into Glorfindel's body the moment before he started breathing again. He whispered his thanks to the Valar for hearing their pleas and sending him back.
Glorfindel groaned and opened his eyes. Seeing Elrond's face staring right at him, he started and sat up far too quickly, given his current condition. "Careful mellon nin." Elrond said quietly. "You've been through a lot." Glorfindel turned around to face Elrond. The peredhil blinked in surprise when he saw the expression on the balrog-slayers face. Elrond would have expected to see confusion, pain or fear on the fair countenance, but no, Glorfindel looked thoroughly - annoyed. "Glorfindel?" He asked, a frown of confusion on his face.
"He laughed at me!" Came the angry reply. "He actually laughed at me!"
"Who laughed at you?" Elrond queried, slightly worried about his friend.
"Mandos!" Replied the balrog-slayer. "That orc-brained excuse for a Valar actually laughed at me! Asked when I was visiting next! The cheek of it!" Elrond couldn't help himself. The strain of nearly losing his old friend had weakened his usual emotional control and he burst into peals of laughter. Aragorn and Arwen were desperately trying to hide their own mirth.
Glorfindel glared at them, but he could not remain annoyed. It was so good to see his friends laughing again. He knew he'd willingly die a thousand times to preserve that laughter.
From the corner of the room, Legolas watched. He was greatly relieved that Glorfindel had once again been returned to them from the halls of Mandos and Estel's laughter was a soothing balm to his aching spirit.
As soon as Glorfindel was alone, he would speak with him. He was sure now that their combined experiences would provide some idea as to how to defeat this dark being.
~It laughed. The forces were ready, the power strong. Now all that remained was to wait for the perfect moment to strike. That moment would be soon, it was sure. In just a few days, it would finally hold the world in it's grasp.~
Glorfindel slept soundly in Aragorn's bed. Elrond had been reluctant to move his friend, so Aragorn and Arwen had willingly vacated their rooms until the elf was back on his feet. This had caused some commotion amongst the servants, but a simple "He is my friend." From Aragorn had sent them scurrying away.
Glorfindel's eyes were closed in a healing sleep; it would be some days until he was fully recovered from his latest brush with death. The room was deserted while friends and family gave him the rest he needed.
Entering the room, Legolas smiled at the sleeping elf. He looked so peaceful Legolas hated to wake him. But there was much to discuss and the Prince didn't know when he'd get another chance.
He walked to the bed and placed his hand on the other's shoulder. "Glorfindel." He asked. The elf in the bed stirred but did not wake. "Glorfindel." Legolas tried again. "Please awaken." There was a low groan as the balrog-slayer dragged himself back to consciousness.
"Hmmm? Who is it?" He asked groggily. Legolas let out a quiet laugh.
"It is I, mellon nin!" He replied. Recognising the Prince's voice, Glorfindel pulled himself into a sitting position. His eyes flickered open - and he almost stopped breathing for the second time that day.
"By the Valar!" He cried, shocked.
"What is it?" Legolas asked, alarmed.
"I can see you!" Glorfindel answered. "Well, in truth I can see through you, but your form is quite visible!" Legolas was stunned.
"Truly? But how? You have never seen me until now!" He withdrew his hand from Glorfindel's shoulder. "Can you also hear me without any contact?" He asked.
"Ai, I can!" The eldar responded. "This is most curious! Perhaps my brief return to Mandos' Halls has somehow strengthened our connection." Legolas had to agree, for he could think of no other explanation.
"Perhaps some good will come of this then." He said. "I have also had an encounter with this evil beings dark net, now with both of our experiences, maybe we can find what we need to beat this evil." Glorfindel looked surprised.
"What happened to you?" He asked. Legolas quickly told him was had happened.
"Interesting." Glorfindel murmured. "Much is the same, but much is different."
"As are we." Legolas said. "But I think the most important aspect, is the pull on our souls. It almost killed you and nearly sent me into such darkness as I never want to experience again. I was warned by Elbereth before my return to this world, but I did not know what form the threat would take. Truly, ignorance was bliss!" Glorfindel laughed.
"Indeed it must have been! However, we still do not know enough. Both of us were pulled into darkness, but to what end?" Legolas ran his mind over the events of the past twelve years. The answer was there, he was sure of it - but what was it?! "Tell me again," He asked Glorfindel, "What happened after I died? Tell me everything, even the smallest details."
So the Balrog-slayer once more went over the events following the attack in which the Prince had died. "Then after your father arrived, there was the funeral. So many came. You were and are still greatly loved Legolas, and your death caused many great pain." Legolas smiled softly.
"As were you my friend." He replied. "Many stories were told about the terrible loss your people suffered when you fell. Ai, there is so much pain in this world…." He trailed off as realisation struck. "By the Valar! That's it!" He turned to Glorfindel. "Don't you see? It feeds off of emotions! All the attacks were very different, but all had the same result - deep emotional pain for one or many!" Glorfindel's eyes widened.
"Sweet Eru! Of course! We should have seen it before! But that brings about a whole new question - how do we stop it from feeding?" Silence met his question and he turned his gaze to the prince.
"We have a problem." Legolas said quietly and gestured to the door. Glorfindel looked to the now-open door where Lord Elrond stood, having just witnessed his oldest friend having an in-depth conversation with an empty room.
"Oh dear." Glorfindel muttered.
"You can't! You were told to remain here! It is your duty, you cannot leave me here alone!" Elladan glared at the indignant Erestor.
"That was weeks ago. We have heard nothing from Gondor in far too long. We can no longer sit by and wait." Elrohir nodded in silent agreement from atop his horse. "We still do not know how our sister fares and you know as well as we do that Estel has not been the same since Legolas was killed." Elladan continued. "You are perfectly capable of running Imladris Erestor, you are older than us and have done it before, so I suggest you stop complaining and get on with it!" With that, the twins turned their horses and galloped down the path towards Gondor, leaving Erestor standing alone in the courtyard.
END CHAPTER 10
So there you have it! Glorfindel is alive and in a sticky situation, the twins are back in the story and there was no cliffie! Surely that makes everyone happy?!
Tux