Chapter 5
"You take care of the Noegyth on the west side. I'll take care of the rest," ordered Thalion as soon as he and his brother had reached the dungeons.
"But that means I have to care for 8 Noegyth, whereas you only have 5," complained Legolas.
"Excellent arithmetic, gwador-nin," called Thalion as he headed down the hall.
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The elven-guard unlocked the heavy oak door for the prince. Inside, on a straw mat in the corner, lay a dwarf. His clothes were torn and dirtied with much travel. His once-white hood was now grey and dented.
"Your food," said Legolas, laying down the tray of bread, cheese, meat, and weak mead that was dinner.
There was no reaction from the dwarf.
Tired, and pitying himself, I suppose, thought Legolas to himself as he walked out of the cell. The guard re-shut the door and locked it. Legolas moved off to the next cell, giving no more thought to the dwarf in the cell behind him.
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"You take the Noegyth on the west, this time, gwador-nin," Legolas called to Thalion as he sped down the opposite way. He smiled to himself as he heard his brother grumbling.
Half an hour later, Legolas headed back up towards the living quarters. However, he was halted as he heard his name called.
"Legolas, come here!" came Thalion's call.
The prince sped towards his brother's voice. He stopped as he found him. Legolas recognized the cell Thalion was standing in as the same one with the unmoving dwarf he had seen the previous night. In a glance, he realized that something was horribly wrong.
The dwarf was trembling and sweating in the corner of the cell. His eyes were red and bloodshot.
Cautiously, Legolas entered the cell, approaching the dwarf warily. Reaching the dwarf, he squatted down on his heels, looking into the dwarf's bloodshot eyes. His heart softened as he looked at the poor creature, pity welling in his heart.
"Who are you?" asked the dwarf, his voice trembling with the effort to speak.
"I am Legolas, Prin – er – a guard, for the King," the prince replied, not wanting the dwarf to know that the Prince of Mirkwood had stooped so low as to be serving the prisoners. "And you are..?"
"Glóin, son of Gróin."
"A pleasure."
The dwarf trembled again.
"Er, is there anything I may do for you?"
"I'm cold."
Legolas felt his brother's lips at his ears. "A fever, gwador-nin."
Legolas nodded slightly to Thalion beside him. Placing a hand across Glóin's temple, he murmured a soft incantation, putting dwarf into a deep, healing sleep.
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Noegyth = Dwarves
Gwador-nin = My brother
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WakingDream – 1st off, I love your name! Anyways, I thought I'd be kind of different to see Legolas in a less distant POV with him arguing with his brother. I'm pretty sure you're right that the palace is underground. So, he probably couldn't have looked out the window. I needed something for that part though, and I wasn't really thinking much about it. Thanks for the tip. I know, I love Middle Earth and Tolkien's works too! Bilbo is definitely sort of an up-there hero. I personally thought he was a little chicken, as well as Frodo. Then again, I guess that adds to the realistic-ness of Tolkien's characters. Any one can be a hero. I don't mind the "bantering" at all, I love long reviews, so no problem! Thanks!
Amthramiel – I wonder just how mad he'll get... ;)
wispykitty – Thanks! I thought a different Legolas would be refreshing too!
spastikLeggyluver – Good, I'm glad you like it!
Kelsey – Thanx! I guess that the elves' moods were also affected by the audience Tolkien was targeting. You really don't want to put depressing ppl into a book for 5-12 year olds.
PrincessEvenstar – Glad you're enjoying it!
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Please review! Thank you!
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