Disclaimer: Please see chapter one

Once again many thanks to Katy my Beta. Without her this story would still be a spark in my mind.

Chapter Six

Glorfindel continued to care for Legolas once Elrond had left the room. Yes, he was interested in what was happening outside, but he also knew it was important if not more so that he stay here with the young Prince. He knew without a doubt that Elrond would tell him what was happening when he got back.

He busied himself slicing and preparing roots and herbs once more, readying the poultice they had been using to treat Legolas' sword wounds. Once this was ready he gathered fresh bandages and crossed to the side of the pallet that Legolas lay upon.

Once the soiled thigh bandages had been removed, Glorfindel cleaned the wound. If anything once the stale herb paste had been wiped away from the wound, it looked to be even more infected than the day before. Giving a low whistle he found himself talking to his unresponsive friend. "Well, Legolas let us get this sorted and redressed. Seeing this it is no wonder you still have a fever. We should be grateful you are still unconscious and in no pain. This would surely be painful."

It looked very painful indeed. The skin around the wound was a deep shiny red and the thigh itself was twice the size it should be. The skin looked taught, as if it would split at any moment. Glorfindel knew without a doubt that Elrond would need to take another look at this wound. They also needed to find out why Legolas' Elven healing abilities were not working.

Glorfindel made swift work of treating the wound, quickly spreading the herb paste before reaching for the fresh bandage, ready and waiting on the bedside.

Glorfindel was so absorbed in what he was doing that he did not notice the dark shape that slipped silently through the open window. The figure made absolutely no sound as it hugged the wall, keeping well out of Glorfindel's line of sight. The figure stopped when Glorfindel reached for a pin to secure the bandage in place; it watched as he washed his hands before moving onto the wound in Legolas' side.

Once Glorfindel was once again occupied, the figure continued on its way across the room. A small evil grin crossed the features as it took in the contents of the herb table. Placed to one side, luckily the nearest side to him was a pestle and mortar made of dark wood, normally used for crushing herbs. Taking the pestle the pestle in hand he hefted it, testing the weight. It would do nicely. Moving closer to the Elf whose back was in front of him and hefted the pestle, bringing it down sharply on the back of Glorfindel's unprotected head.

Glorfindel slumped soundlessly to the floor.

Without even looking at the still figure on the pallet, the figure began searching the room, looking for the young Prince's pack. He found it eventually, tucked safely out of the way under the herb table. He slipped the straps over his shoulder and had just turned away when he stopped. Turning back once again, this time he looked at the still figure. This would be too easy and perfect. Reaching for a spare pillow from, the pallet nearest to him, he moved towards the injured Elf, he was just about to cover Legolas' face and smother him, when a sound outside the door stopped him in his tracks. Discarding the pillow on the floor he turned and just as silently as he had entered he left the room.

Elrond, meanwhile, had taken Andechoriel to his study to hear his report. The b

Body had been taken to the House of Preparation, to be readied for burial. The rest of the crowd had been dismissed. It was into this milling crowd that a figure slipped. No noticed that he had been missing as he once again joined his friends.

Half an hour later Elrond was once more making his way to the House of Healing. He had a very heavy heart. His decision to warn Thranduil of Loromaire's disappearance had proven to be the correct one, now he would have to inform him of his captain's death.

Unease began to niggle at the edges of his awareness. The nearer he got to his destination, the more the feeling grew. He was just about to enter the building when he realised what he was feeling; or rather what he was hearing. IIt was the trees. The trees were moaning. While Elrond could not converse with the trees as well as a wood Elf could; and Legolas in particular, he could listen to the, as could every Elf if they took the time.

He closed his eyes and calmed his rapid breathing, letting peace take over. Within moments his eyes popped open and he hurried into the Hall of Healing. The trees had been calling a warning, practically shouting that the Prince was in danger. They Begged for Elrond to help the Prince. He decided he would have to ponder more on that revelation at a later point. The trees thought of Legolas as their Prince? Legolas was a constant source of surprise. What a roller coaster ride Thranduil must have had raising him! He, Elrond, certainly did not envy him one bit. Legolas was unique even for an Elf.

He reached the corridor that led to the small room that they had placed the Prince in. much to his surprise the guard he had placed outside the room was still in place. He turned as Elrond hurried to his side. He stood further to attention as Elrond reached for the door. "Lord Elrond, is there a problem?"

Elrond's reply was terse as he pushed the door open. "Yes." He was pleased when he saw the guard reach for his sword as he followed him into the room.

Once again Elrond was not prepared for what he found. Glorfindel lay in a heap on the floor. But that was not all. The reason for the trees distress was all too evident. Legolas was once more ion the grip of a seizure. Although from first glance he could see it was not as bad as the previous had been. He turned to the guard, noting that he had automatically gone to help the fallen Balrog Slayer.

"Forget him! I need help here!" Elrond did not mean for it to come out so sharply, it was just common sense speaking. Glorfindel was safe on the floor. No further harm could come to him. Legolas, thought, was still on the pallet and could just as easily fall with the force of each muscle contraction. The look of shock on the guards face would have been comical at any other time. But Elrond did not have the time. "Hold him down for me. I need to get some tea into him. Try your best to keep him on the bed."

The guard moved tot the pallet and tentatively held Legolas' arms. The force of the next convulsion easily ripped the Prince from his arms. "Do not be scared, take a firm hold. He will not be hurt."

This time the guards grip was stronger. Elrond took the goblet of tea and between the two of them

They gradually fed Legolas the tea around each convulsion, until eventually the goblet was empty. All they could do then was hold onto Legolas until the herbs took effect.

Once Legolas was again lax on the pallet, Elrond moved to kneel next to Glorfindel where he lay on the floor. Two fingers reached tentatively for the carotid pulse on the pale throat. He released a breath he had not realised he was holding. Glorfindel's pulse was strong and steady. As he turned his old friend over he noticed the silver red blood that had clotted over the Elf's right ear.

He gently touched the area, noting the hard lump that was all too evident. He quickly checked Glorfindel's pupil reactions. For once the Valor seemed to be listening; Glorfindel's pupils reacted normally and were of equal size. Elrond smiled in reassurance at the guard. "He will be alright; it is just a minor head injury. Help me get him on a pallet." At the other Elf's nod, they gently moved Glorfindel from the floor.

Once they had him settled Elrond turned once more to the guard, breathing deeply to control his anger. He could not stop the coldness in his voice as he asked. "What happened? You were given explicit instructions to guard the Prince. Do you really want me to have to tell King Thranduil that his son has died whilst he was being guarded by you? Would you really let Rivendell down so badly?"

It was not often that an Elven guard could be taken aback. This was one of them. The guards jaw literally dropped to the floor as his Lord continued. "And my healers were are they? I implicitly instructed that at least one of them stay close, in case of need." Footsteps could be heard hurrying down the corridor and one of the healers from the day before skidded to a halt in the open door. "Now you show your face!"

"Lord Elrond?" Deanol's voice was hesitant.

"What?" He was tired, he was worried and just for one moment it was just all too much.

"We have been cleaning Captain Loromaire's body. We think you should see what we have found."

Elrond tiredly pinched his nose. "Let me get this right. Are you telling me that you have deserted live patients in preference of a dead one?" His voice was dripping ice.

"My Lord?" Deanol could hear both the exasperation and the exhaustion in Elrond's voice. "Has something happened?"

"Yes! Yes, 'something has happened'! While you have been treating a dead Elf and the guards have been guarding an empty corridor Lord Glorfindel has been attacked and Prince Legolas has had an unsupervised seizure!" He was really beginning to warm to his subject, anger once more coursing through him.

"Are they alright?" The shock that colour Deanol's voice calmed Elrond in a way nothing else could have.

"Yes. Glorfindel has a minor concussion, he should regain consciousness soon. I think the reason for Legolas' seizure was because Glorfindel could not give him the herbal tea. He has had it now and settled again. I just wish I knew what has happened here." He looked around the room, noting for the first time the unused herbs, the bandages that had been set out ready and not yet used. He took a step towards Legolas only to stop when his foot connected with something on the floor.

Elrond looked down, puzzled. He was even more confused when he saw what it was rolling on the floor. It was pestle. He bent to pick it up, seeing immediately the dry blood present on it. Elrond knew without a doubt that it had been used on his friend. He placed it once more on the table, noting idly that Deanol was picking up a pillow from the floor, but did not think any thing of it.

Elrond began once more checking over the young Prince, noting the fresh bandage on the thigh, but the lack of dressing on the wound on his side. With Deanol's assistance he began treating his patient. Neither saw the guard, a relieved look on his face as he retreated from the room.

They had just finished dressing the wound ion Legolas' head when a groan from behind them brought them around to face the other pallet. "Glorfindel!"

To be continued….

Many thanks to all my reviewers, your encouragement means an awful lot to me.

Aranel of Mirkwood: I'm glad you think so. Thank you.

Jopru: I'm glad you like the chapter. You don't like Faren? I wonder why? Evil cliffies? Moi?? Don't you like them?

Amon-ra 1996: Are you a fan of Egypt by any chance? I love the name! I'm glad you like the story I hope you continue to do so. I know Poor Legolas. Now what more can I do to him? The twins and Estel will be here soon so don't worry!!

Gemini969: Thank you

Darlin'DarlaDawg: Keep reading I promise all will be explained. Bad you don't know the half of what I have planned for him!

Gozilla: Thank you.

Shadow fox777: Congratulations! That's brilliant, but just what is barrel racing or don't I want to know? :P. Another horse lover!! I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

Iccle fairy: I was just as privileged, trust me! I'm just glad you like it. As Katy my Beta knows, I was a little worried. What's wrong with Faren? Why don't people like him? Another who doesn't like cliffies? What a shame I have more up my sleeve. Why are you worried about Glorfindel I wonder? Just wait until Estel and Thranduil get together! Then he will be mothered!! I like him being coddled and mothered too. Thank you.