Chapter 9
The wood-elves were swift and sure-footed, moving at a quick pace, following the river towards Laketown. Prayers of help had been sent from the men of Laketown to the elves after the desolation of their homes.
At the head of the long column of elves, rode the Elvenking, Brethilorn, Thalion, Legolas, and Ithilwen. Adrahil remained at the palace to guard it.
The morning of the fifth day of marching, the elves arrived upon the shores of Laketown, gazing at the destruction about them. Many houses had fallen to the ground, and those that remained were charred and burnt. Tents were all about the place, given mainly to the sick and injured. The elves crossed the shores to the town swiftly. There, they were met by the Master.
Thranduil and his children dismounted from their steeds, bowing politely to the man. The Master bowed in return, then leading them into a nearby tent.
"Our thanks, majesty, for your kindness to send help," said the Master, offering Thranduil a seat.
"How can we leave friends in such hardships?" responded Thranduil. "My elves shall aid your men to rebuild the town and lend their healing services to the sick and wounded," continued Thranduil.
"Your majesty is too kind. Pray tell, what can we do to repay your generosity?"
"'Tis the least we may do for friends in need. No payment is needed," Thranduil answered.
"Pray tell, Master, what has become of the dwarves that journeyed to the Lonely Mountain?" asked Legolas.
"We know not, highness," responded the Master, "but it is likely that they perished in the dragon's wrath."
At these words, Legolas noticed his father's eyes light up slightly, for great was the legend of the dwarves' wealth, and the Elvenking had a particular love for such beautiful pieces of craftsmanship.
"Then such wealth as is that of the legend of Erebor should not perish in waste," Thranduil said.
"If you wish to voyage the journey to the Mountain, my Elvenking, the men of Laketown will aid you in anyway you need," the Master volunteered.
"I thank you," answered the king, knowing full well that the Master purposed to lay claim on part of the treasure as well. With that, he rose, and took leave of the Master, leaving the tent, his children following.
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Fires burned brightly against the darkness of the falling dusk. Night was coming, yet elves and men still worked on, toiling side-by-side, reconstructing Laketown. The town had been moved away from the great carcass of the dragon lying on the beach of the river.
Legolas and Ithilwen rode across a temporary bridge back to the Laketown camp. They had been fetching more healing herbs and plants from Mirkwood. Their horses stumbled with weariness from the swift and hard ride from the forest to the lake. Dismounting, they handed the reins to waiting elves, and headed to the tents where the injured were, carrying large packs of herbs and plants.
Raising the flap of the tent, Legolas and Ithilwen entered, to be met by their twin brothers, Brethilorn and Thalion. Wordlessly, they each grabbed a pack, tearing them open. Each grabbed a handful of herbs and hurried off to tend to their patient. Legolas and Ithilwen washed their hands in a basin of clean water, and then went off to tend to the waiting injured.
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Legolas knelt beside a sleeping dark-haired girl of a bout ten years old. Her left arm and shoulder was badly burned.
Legolas pulled out a few leaves of Ûrlass, a healing plant. He crushed the leaves into a small bowl, mixing it with warm water to create a paste. Gently, Legolas spread the mixture over the girl's burns, taking care to exert as little pressure as possible on the raw burns.
Suddenly, the girl stirred, her eyes flying open, a sharp gasp of pain escaping her lips.
Gently, Legolas laid a temple on the girl's temple, laying her back down.
"It's alright," he said soothingly as he bound a white bandage around her arm. "You have been badly burned, but you will heal now."
The girl stared at him with large grey eyes. "You are an elf?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes," he answered, continuing to wrap the bandage. "What is your name?"
"Nelleth," she answered.
"A pleasure to meet you, Nelleth," the prince said, "My name is Legolas."
"Nice to meet you, Legolas."
Legolas smiled at the child's innocence and spirit.
"And, um, thank you for treating me," she added, this time rather shyly.
"The least I could do, for a fellow braveheart. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you, Nelleth." With that, he rose and went off to tend to another patient.
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Six days had passed since the woodelves had arrived upon the shores of the shambles of Laketown. In these six days the town had been almost entirely rebuilt. The sick and injured had been tended to carefully by the healing skills of the elves. Now, with the work done, Thranduil felt it was time to march upon Erebor to seek the lost riches of Thor.
Legolas lashed his pack onto his horse. Strapping his quiver on his back with his bow and his long white knife at his side, he untied his steed and led it from the temporary stables. As he stepped out into the half-built town, he was joined on either side by his twin brothers leading their own horses, and were also similarly armed.
"Any ideas as to why we're laden with these blades?" Brethilorn asked his two brothers. "Aren't we journeying to Erebor to claim the treasure?"
"Perhaps it is best that we are armed," said Thalion wisely to the slight surprise of his brothers. "We know not what hazards we may meet."
"Oh, yes, the fearful elf-slaying goblet of Thor!" exclaimed Legolas to the helpless mirth of his older brothers. "Oh horror, horror!"
Laughing, the three princes mounted their horses, riding toward the head of the waiting company of elves and humans, joining their father and sister.
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PrincessEvenstar – Thanx for all your positive comments and review!
Kelsey – Thnx for the review! You've inspired me yet again. I was actually going to include something about Legolas and Glóin in the Battle of 5 Armies, like you suggested, and your suggestions have given me a bunch of ideas of what to do :P Thnx! Yes, I signed the petition already, since I'm a member at CouncilofElrond.com :P can't wait to see it happen!
ElenwenDutari – Thnx! Silwen literally means "Star Maiden" in elvish, and I'm not really sure that Aurdomiel has a meaning. What does ElenwenDutari mean?
mistopurr – Thnx for all the reviews! I feel sorry for Kalmakil and Galion too, but then again, they failed their duties… lol. luv the Miranda Otto quote. :P I think I maybe based Ithilwen a bit on Éowyn, now that I think about it. Furious King blows steam through pointy ears
boobtubesngrass – Thnx!
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