Chapter 7: Ashen Face
Don't own.
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"So, Thranduil…" the shadow said, avoiding the sunlight that was trickling through the open window. Thranduil groaned and looked over at the shadow of a man. His face was ashen, his eyes, bloodshot, his whole body trembles, and he felt weak. "How are we feeling this morning?" Thranduil moaned and rolled over a bit. Sweat poured down his face. "Need a healer, do we?" A grin spread over the shadow's face. "Maybe not yet. Let's allow E'thane to find you, shall we?" The shadow moved to the door and left the room; left Thranduil to suffer alone.
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E'thane was walking quickly down the hall of the palace. He turned a corner and saw his mentor, Tylen. "Einior Tylen! Have you seen my Adar?" E'thane asked him.
"Not this morning, young prince. Why?" He asked.
"Because he said we could go to the festival today! He was going to go with me." E'thane said. "If we wait any longer, all the events will be over." Tylen shook his head and gave him a sympethic look.
"I haven't seen him. I'm sorry. But, today is a festival? I had forgotten. How about we cancel lessons for today?" Tylen suggested, his eyes shining. E'thane perked up a little.
"Truly? That would be wonderful. Thank you Einior Tylen." (Einior is "elder" by the way) E'thane said excitedly. He bowed as a way of saying good bye, and hurried off to find Thranduil. Tylen watched him leave, a small grin playing on his face. His eyes flashed, then he turned and continued down the hall.
He soon reached the king's quarters and he knocked on the study door. There was no sound from inside. He pushed open the door and saw that the desk was vacant. Confused, E'thane searched around the room. Still no sign that his father had been there. Finally, he decided to check his room. E'thane knocked on the door, and he heard a soft noise from the inside. He pushed open the door and saw Thranduil lying in bed. "ADA!" E'thane shouted, rushing into the room and to his father's side. "Ada! What's wrong! Are you ill?" He asked. Thranduil made no move. "Ada…" E'thane whispered. He placed a hand over his father's forehead. "You're burning up!" He said, looking over him, worry taking the place of excitement in his eyes. "You need a healer. Don't leave me Ada." E'thane said, patting his father's hand. E'thane rushed out of the room and back down the hall. Who could he go to? Tylen! He was skilled in healing. He went to his mentor's quarters and knocked on the door. He heard a voice from inside.
"Come in." E'thane went into the room.
"Tylen! You must come! My father is ill!" E'thane said with great haste. Tylen jumped up from his chair and followed E'thane back to Thranduil's room. Tylen went to the king's side. E'thane went to the other side of the bed.
Thranduil said Tylen and something flashed in his eyes. E'thane didn't notice it. Tylen ignored the flash and placed a hand over the king's forehead. "I have never seen something like this in an elf!" Tylen said. "E'thane, go get the leather bag in my room, and also, get some wet clothes." E'thane nodded and rushed out of the room. When he was gone and the door was closed, Tylen turned his attention back to the king. He pulled out a small vial. "Here, your highness." He grinned and opened the vial. "Bottoms up." Thranduil tried to scoot away, but he was just feeling too weak to move. "Now, now, you wouldn't want something bad to happen to your son, now would you?"
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"Are you sure, laddie?" Gimli asked, looking up at the elf. Legolas nodded and pulled the strap on the horse tighter.
"Yes. Something isn't right." Legolas said. He had another dream that night, only this time, the shadow was looming over his father. As much as Thranduil had hurt him, Legolas knew he had to do something. "I promise you, we will go to the caves soon." Legolas said, looking sadly at his dwarvish friend.
"Why don't I come with you?" Gimli asked. Legolas shook his head.
"I must travel with haste. I'm sorry my friend." Gimli understood slightly. "Besides, you live in the mountains north of Mirkwood, do you not?" Legolas asked.
"Aye."
"Then I can come see you sometime. Do not worry." Legolas smiled, and bent down to hug the dwarf.
"Be safe, laddie." Gimli said. Legolas nodded. He was about to mount his horse when he heard another voice.
"Leaving without a good bye, eh Legolas?" He turned to see Aragorn, followed closely by Arwen.
"I must leave now, mellon-nin." Legolas said urgently. Aragorn wasted no time in pulling his friend into a hug.
"Be safe." He said. Legolas nodded. He bowed to Arwen.
"Farewell, m'lady. Farewell, my friends." He said, then mounted his horse and rode down the twisting streets of Minis Tirith. When he reached the gate, it opened for him, and he was soon on his way north to Mirkwood.
He rode until nightfall. He thought about stopping, but he was out in the open. He knew it wouldn't be safe. So he continued riding. The longer he rode, the closer to Mirkwood he would get, and it wouldn't take as many days.
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E'thane was sitting on the steps to the palace. He had gone to the festival when Tylen had told the prince that his father was too ill to go. He had found some of his friends and had a good time, but it just wasn't the same. As he sat there, he watched the last rays of the sun filter through the trees. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Come with me, E'thane." Tylen said. E'thane nodded, and he stood and followed the mentor into the palace, up the large staircase, and down the hall to his father's room.
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Whoop! Another short chapter. Sorry. I just, want this to play out the right way.
Reviewers-
Starlit Hope- Indeed not.
Haldir's Heart and Soul- I had a feeling I was spelling Gandalf's name wrong. Thanks for pointing it out! Also… for the last chapter… -grins-
"Inspirational" Quote:
"Like Peter said… I'm-a da fricken' pope!" –The Pope –Family Guy –"Holy Crap"
Banana Nut Muffin