Disclaimer: Please see chapter one
Once again, many thanks to my Beta Katy
Chapter four
Late afternoon turned into early evening. Six groups containing six worriers had been chosen by Glorfindel to search for Loromaire. Each group had been given a specific area to search. As they passed through the gates of Rivendell they parted ways each heading away from the others, towards their own destination.
One of these groups was led by Andechoriel. Glorfindel had given them one of the bleakest parts of Rivendell to search. It was right on the border that led to the Misty Mountains. Lush green forest full of wild life gave way to stark barren rock. They would not reach the far edge until late the next morning.
Dusk was falling when Andechoriel stopped the group and had them prepare the camp for the night. Once finished they sat and ate their food rations amidst much speculation as to what had happened to both Legolas and Loromaire. This continued, with each theory wilder than the other's even when Andechoriel set the watches for the night. As the night advanced the Elves made for their bedrolls one at a time and the camp settled for the night.
The next morning dawned with the most amazing array of colours. Bright happy bird song filled the air. Burztasareiel, the unlucky Elf to draw the last watch, tended the fire. Setting water to boil, he moved around the camp waking each Elf as he passed them.
Breakfast was a brief affair. Lembas bread with hot tea. As they were eating Andechoriel handed out his assignments, making sure everyone knew what was expected of them. Burztasareiel was given the job of watching the rear of the group; after all wolves or Orcs could strike at any time. Faren drew scout duty. As the others were too involved in eating and listening to Andechoriel, no one noticed the small brief look of triumph that flashed across Faren's face, to be quickly replaced with a blank mask.
Once all had finished eating, the Elves moved swiftly to pack up the camp. Moving with the efficiency of long practice they were soon ready to leave.
The group made their way silently through the rapidly thinning trees. They had found no sign of the missing Elf. Andechoriel called a halt for rest as the sun reached its zenith. They were making good time and could afford to take the small break. No one commentated on the fact that Faren had not joined them, as he was scouting the area no one would have paid it any attention…
Faren was making his way swiftly through the last remnants of the forest. He was moving softly and with an air of purpose that comes from knowing exactly where one is going. His contact had given him this information. A scowl crossed his fair features giving them an ugly cast. It would have been much easier for all concerned if the Elves originally chosen for this task had finished the job properly. As it was they were now playing catch up.
The outcrop of rocks came into view and he hastened towards them. He swiftly climbed them until he came to a cluster of rocks about half way up. The rocks were positioned so that nothing could be seen from the ground. Behind the largest boulder he found what he was looking for.
Pulling the object near to him, he began his grim search. The object was very stiff and it made it much more difficult to manoeuvre. He deliberately looked away, not really wanting to identify with the object he was searching. Finally, he had no choice and he raised his eyes.
His look was immediately met by glazed, blank eyes. Long brown hair was a mass of tangles mixed with leaves and clotted blood. Dry blood caked the left side of the face. The skin tone was grey; the lips a deep blue. He body was wearing the browns and greens of Mirkwood. An arrow shaft pierced the left side of the chest, clearly showing how the Elf had been killed.
Faren coldly finished his search, finding nothing. Leaving the body he moved to recover the victim's pack which had been hidden in a tiny fissure. With quick, almost frantic movements he searched through the contents. Only to come up empty handed. The parchment he was looking for was not there. He sat back Frowning. Surely Thranduil would give it to his Captain? He had to find that letter! There was only one person left. The Brat. Anger tore through him as he thought of holding the Brats pack in his hands. To think he had inadvertently been holding what he was now searching for held a certain kind of irony. He had to get back to Rivendell. He had to get that letter, if Elrond read it all would be ruined.
His mind made up, he reached once more for the pack. Spreading the contents around the area he sought to make it look like a robbery gone wrong. With one last glance to make sure he had left no clues to him having been there, he began the climb back down to the ground, .Faren then began the walk back to the forest and the other member's of his party.
He had been walking for perhaps ten minutes when he heard the familiar bird call of his party's leader. Stopping he replied before taking a seat beneath a withered old Elm tree. There he waited for the rest of his party.
It was twenty minutes when the other party members appeared through the tree's Andechoriel in the lead. "Mae Govannen, Faren." He raised his hand in greeting.
"Mae Govannen, Andechoriel. Any signs of Loromaire?" he some how kept his voice even.
"Nay. Have you anything report?" Andechoriel sat with a sigh, reaching for his water skin. The rest of the group followed suite.
"No, I have been to the edge of the forest, but there has been no sign of any activity. I have not checked beyond the forest though." Faren lent back against the tree, gazing at the sky. It had been hard to keep the smugness out of his voice. Would they really fall for this? Were they really that dumb?
After ten minutes respite the group once more began their trek. All was silent as they made their way towards the rocky outcrop and the discovery that Faren knew all too well awaited them.
They reached the rocks. And following Andechoriel's instructions the Elves spread out to continue the search. Andechoriel was concentrating on his own search when a cry caught all their attention.
"Over here!" It was Burztasareiel, perched on a ledge half way up the rock face.
Andechoriel made his way to his fellow worrier's side. The sight that greeted him took his breath away.
Clothes and small items of personal effects were scattered across the sight. It looked at first glance as if all items of value had been taken. Burztasareiel knelt on one side and as Andechoriel moved to join him the other members of their party joined them.
Andechoriel closed his eyes momentarily, reciting a silent prayer for the fallen Elf. Once finished he began the grim task of searching the body. Once this grizzly task was finished he stood. "We need to get him back to Rivendell. King Thranduil will need to be told if his Captain's death. Thalon, take Curan, we need to make another litter. I want to get back as soon as possible."
He cast one more look at the body, sorrow evident on his face. He had only met this Elf once before. He had been accompanying Prince Legolas on a visit to see Lord Elrond's sons; although their acquaintance had only been short the other Elf had been pleasant enough and friendly. Prince Legolas had treated him like an old friend rather than a servant. He winced. The Prince would be devastated at this loss.
It was a very subdued group that made its way back through the forest. The loss of an immortal life is very hard to accept and come to terms with…
Earlier that day in Rivendell
The night had passed slowly and relatively peaceful for the inhabitants of Rivendell. JJust before dawn Elrond had isolated the bacteria that were causing Legolas' infection and fever. Now all he needed to do was find the right herb to kill the bacteria and then may be, just may be things could return to normal. Elrond gave a wry grin at that thought. Just what was normal for his sons and their friend? Trouble always found them no matter how careful they tried to be.
By mid morning Elrond could be found making his way to the Halls of Healing, a goblet of herbal tea held carefully in one hand. Knocking on the door to alert Glorfindel, he opened the door.
Glorfindel looked up from his task of sponging Legolas' face as Elrond made his way to the pallet, joining his friend.
"How is he?" He asked setting the tea down and reaching for Legolas' forehead.
"No change. His fever remains high, it's actually quite labile. He hasn't stirred once. Is that for the infection?" Glorfindel nodded towards the goblet.
"Yes, we need to get as much into him as possible. He will also need his wounds dressed with it as well."
With Glorfindel's help Legolas was gently lifted up to a slight angle. With Glorfindel supporting Legolas from behind with his body and his hands supporting the limp head, Elrond began spooning the liquid into the lax mouth. To Elrond's relief Legolas automatically swallowed the fluid instead of choking on it.
Once the tea was finished Glorfindel gently sat Legolas back against the pillows before reaching for a towel to wipe the excess potion from his hands. He stopped when he saw Elrond's puzzled look.
"What? The potion is sticky…" He was cut off mid flow.
"Where did you have your hands?" The urgency in Elrond's voice was clear.
"Either side of his head, below his ears. Why?" He could only watch as Elrond roughly pushed him aside.
Elrond turned the unresisting head towards him. His heart plummeted further as he saw the pink tinged fluid that was lazily seeping from the elegantly pointed ear. Looking up he met Glorfindel's look. "He is leaking spinal fluid; we must have dislodged a clot when we moved him. His head injuries are much worse than I thought." He gently prized each eye open. "His left eye is dilated, the right is normal. This is not good. Not good at all."
Silence filled the room once more, but this time it was not a peaceful silence. Tension hung like a cloud in the air….
Thank you to all my reviewers, it means a lot to me that you contact me.
Karri: I'm glad you like Glorfindel, He's one of my favourites too. Thanks for picking up the typo. I wrote this chapter at 4 in the morning and it kind of slipped by me. So thanks.
Jopru: I'm glad you like it. Is this soon enough for you? I will try to update every other day.
Shadow fox777: Does this mean you like it?
Elanor: Thank you, I thought that these two would have many years of working together and used to each other and their foibles. I'm glad it came across that well. Faren? You will have to wait and see. Big things coming!!!
Seriously wrong: Thank you for your review. I am doing my best, so please bare with me?