Disclaimer: Please see chapter one

Thank you to my Beta Katy, you are the greatest!

Chapter eight

Silence filled the room, as the three friends sat pensive. Elrond and Glorfindel had just finished explaining to Erestor what had been happening. Much to Glorfindel's great displeasure at one certain point in the narrative, Erestor had burst out into peels of laughter.

"You… you mean to tell me that you, Glorfindel, the Great Balrog Slayer; was taken from behind? Hit on the head like a novice? Just wait until the Twin…" He caught sight of the glower on Glorfindel's face and hurriedly changed tact. "Yes, well. So basically, the Prince and you are in all likelihood in danger. Loromaire is dead; we have someone in Rivendell who almost certainly knows a lot more than we do. Have you called your son's home, Elrond?"

"Yes. I do not think they would forgive me if I had not. I expect them within the next forty-eight hours."

"Good. That will help." Elrond arched his eyebrow at the scholar's statement. "The more we have here to look after you all, who we know we can trust the better. How long do you think the Prince will be in his coma?"

Glorfindel's jaw dropped. "Coma? But I thought he was just unconscious…"

"At first, yes. But the longer he remained thus? I had been hoping he would return to us, but alas. To answer your question, Erestor, I do not know. We know his injury is great, the head injury and fracture are enough to give great cause for concern. But the infection is worrying, the ongoing fever and fits with no end to the cycle are enough to make me want to get…." The visitor's bell rang out across Rivendell.

Glorfindel stood, wavering slightly. "We are expecting no visitors, do you want me to go and see who it is?"

Elrond gave his old comrade a sharp, knowing look. "No, Mellon Nin, I want you to stay here with Erestor. You need time to recover from that blow."

Glorfindel's lips pursed into what looked suspiciously like a pout. Elrond shook his head; no he had to be imagining things. He turned to leave the room.

As Elrond made his way into the courtyard he noticed the small group of warriors that had gathered to greet the new arrivals. He was pleased, his warriors were well trained.

The sound of hearing hoof beats warned him of the impending arrivals and he made his way nearer to the group.

Four horses turned the corner at great speed. Not slowing down at all as they neared the group.

A large grin, broad with relief made its way across Elrond's face. He did not understand but he would only thank which ever of the Valor responsible for this miracle.

"Ada!" His youngest son did not even wait for his horse to slow to a stop before he had flung himself from his back. "We came as soon as we heard. What has happened?"

"Estel? But how?" The pleasure and pride in Elrond's voice was clear to all. "Mae Govannen, Ion Nin's. You do not know how pleased I am to see you." He turned to the third Elf. "Mae Govannen, Haldir. It is a pleasure to see you again."

The blond Elf bowed. "Mae Govannen, Lord Elrond. Lady Galadriel did not wish for your sons to travel alone, in light of the news we received. She also asked me to extend to you any help I can offer."

Elrond should have known. His Mother in Law would want to know what was happening, also. But for her to send her lead March Warden? It made him wonder what she may have seen in her mirror…

"Come, you must be tired. Faren? Please see to my sons horses?" The worrier took control of the beasts leading them away to the stables. "We will speak in side." With an arm around Elrohir and Estel's shoulder's he led them into the Last Homely House, heading for his study. He needed to speak to them away from the Hall of Healing.

Once they were sat comfortably with hot tea in their hands he sat back. This was going to be hard. He took a steady breath. To be beaten by Elladan.

"Ada, what is going on? All that your letter said was to get back here. That there was trouble. What trouble? All looks peaceful."

"Elladan, you should know that looks can be deceiving. Did you see the storm four nights ago?" They all nodded. "Well, the next morning Andechoriel's group found an injured Elf on the edge of the forest. He was badly injured, very badly injured. They brought him back. It was Legolas, I am afraid."

Estel gasped, his dear friend was badly hurt? "How badly hurt, Ada?"

"Badly. He has a fractured skull and a very severe head wound to go with it. He also has some very deep sword wounds. Unfortunately the wounds have become very badly infected."

It was Elladan who asked. "But his healing abilities?"

"Are for some reason not working. Since he has been here Legolas has had two fits, one very, very bad. He has a high fever that we can not break. But the worst part of all is that he has not regained consciousness. Legolas is currently in a coma; we can only be patient and try to help him recover." His voice broke as he finished speaking and he took a sip of his own tea.

Estel was about to stand and leave the room when Elrond caught his arm. "Wait. That is not all. We found a letter in Legolas' pack from his father. Thranduil warned that there has been some sort of plot to kill Legolas. Apparently they have tried and failed twice. Thranduil sent him here with a guard for protection."

"Well, he did not do a good job of looking after Legolas." Elrohir's voice was bitter. He would be speaking to this guard who had failed his friend…

"Loromaire is dead, Elrohir. He was found yesterday." Elrond's own voice was sharp, causing Elrohir to wince as he realised he had just criticised an old acquaintance who could no longer speak for himself. Loromaire had, in all probability, given his own life to save the life of his Prince.

"I am sorry, Ada."

"No problem, Ion nin. This is a shock for you. Since reading the letter, Glorfindel and I have been looking after Legolas to minimise any risk of attack. It almost failed. Glorfindel was attacked this morning. He had been knocked unconscious. He is fine. Just not happy at what happened. They, who ever they are, stole Legolas' pack."

"Why?" Haldir sat forward frowning.

"We think they were after the letter."

"You have a traitor?" The March Wardens voice was icy calm.

"Yes, we believe so. Too much has been happening for it to be otherwise. I want at least two of us with Legolas at all times. At the moment his safety is paramount. Once he wakens we will hopefully find out more of what has been happening. But until then…." A knock at the door interrupted him.

A servant opened the door looking to Elrond. "Lord Elrond? Lord Glorfindel has asked that you go to the Halls of Healing. He said it was urgent…" The room emptied so quickly that only a very stunned Elf was left in the room…

All that Estel could think as he followed his father as they made for the healing wing was that this could not be happening. That Legolas would be alright. That Legolas was always alright, no matter what kind of situation the beautiful Elf found himself in, he always managed to come through. The thought that this could be the time that that did not happen did not bare thinking about. The thought of Middle Earth without the Prince did not, could not become a reality. Not if Estel had anything to say about the matter.

The sight he saw when he got into the room then was one he could never, ever have anticipated. For as his father left his line of sight he was faced with…. Glorfindel and Erestor fighting Legolas! But… but…

Elladan ran into him from behind, knocking him to the floor as he rushed to his father. It was Elrond's voice that finally cleared the shocked fog from Estel's mind.

"He is seizing! Elladan, on the table at the far side is a goblet of herbs, I need them!! Estel, I need you to hold Legolas' legs. I need especially for you to try and keep the right leg from further hurt." Estel ran to the pallet and carried out his father's orders.

He was surprised at just how strong Legolas was. It took all his strength to hold the normally graceful limbs. The force of each contraction made it hard for Estel to keep holding on as he watched his brother and father struggle tom give Legolas the medication between each contraction having to wait for each slackening of the jaw before they could open the Prince's mouth.

By the time they could all let go of Legolas, they were exhausted

"Are you alright, Estel? I did not mean to knock you over; I needed to get to Father." Elladan was looking him over worried he may have hurt his younger brother.

"I am fine! Legolas…"

"No you are not you are bleeding!" Elladan caught his hands trying to see what had caused the bleeding. Elrond came to join them, satisfied that for the moment Legolas was calm. "What happened?" Elrohir appeared with water and cloths to clean the wounds.

"It is not my blood!" Estel had to make them understand. "Legolas, it is his. See? It is silver…" Now they took the time they could see the silver tint all too well. Elrond returned to the pallet.

"Eru! It is his thigh again. I was hoping we could prevent this happening." With Estel's help he quickly stripped the leg of its rapidly soaking bandage. At the sight of the wound loud gasps of horror could be heard in the room. Even Glorfindel closed his eyes against the sight and he had seen it recently.

Rather than being just infected the wound was know filled with a mixture of fresh blood and green puss. Even the smell was overpowering. Elrond quickly cleaned the blood and puss away, needing to see the wound. This was bad, no this was worse than he could have imagined. If this carried on Legolas could loose his leg, if not his life to this infection. As he reached for the herbs to pack the wound, Estel's puzzled voice made him stop.

"Ada? Should Legolas' skin have this purple tint to it?"

He looked to where Estel was pointing. There just as the skin gave way to muscle was a purple tint to the skin, giving off a metallic sheen. He looked to Glorfindel.

"None of that was their earlier. The wound was infected and swollen, but no puss and no colour change." Glorfindel's voice was sure and emphatic.

"I need to get some samples. We need to know what this is. This is more than just a fever and infection. Poison?" He knew he was talking to himself as he reached for the knife to take the samples, but all in the room, apart from Haldir, were used to this.

Once he had his sample and the wound was once more wrapped with a pressure dressing he left the room to go to his study to begin the long process of finding out what this was.

Half an hour later Glorfindel was heading towards his bedchamber. He needed to bath and change clothes. Now that they had back up he could take the time to care for himself the dry blood on the side of his head was beginning to itch.

"Lord Glorfindel!" He could have groaned.

"Yes, Andechoriel?" The younger Elf looked flustered, something Glorfindel was not used to.

"I have just found this, my Lord." This was Legolas pack. Although it was not in the same condition as he last had seen it.

"Where did you find this?"

"Just beside the stables. We go out tomorrow on patrol so I was readying my horse and pack. It was covered by leaves. But, Lord Glorfindel, I gave this to you and…"

"It was lost." How to explain the situation without explaining the situation.

"Oh." The puzzlement in Andechoriel's voice was like a siren call.

"It was removed by the servants and they could not recall where they put it." Lying through his teeth, Glorfindel tried to retrieve the situation. It worked.

"I see. My Lord, how is Prince Legolas?" Andechoriel was joined by the rest of his group.

"Very ill, I am afraid. Still unconscious." If the 'mole' thought Legolas could not tell them any thing

May be they could gain some time.

"I am sorry to hear that. I will add him to my prayers." The rest of his group nodded and moved away, leaving only one near to the Lord and worrier.

"Thank you that will help. I will take this to Lord Elrond. My thanks for getting this to me."

As Glorfindel left no one noticed the smug grin that crossed Faren's face. So the Brat Princeling was ill and unconscious still. If he cold be silenced before he could talk, the matter would not matter. The situation could be saved. Oh, yes, he was going to enjoy this. After all the Brat had put him through and he would have his revenge once and for all……

To Be Continued

Mwa ha ha!!

Reply to reviews:

Elanoe8: Wow. You like it that much. Thank you. Can I stop bouncing now? I am afraid it's my nursing past coming to the fore with Glorfindel. All nurses are taught that they talk to unconscious patients. Hearing is that last sense to leave and you would be surprised at how many patients remember being talked to. Glorfindel seems to have become a little perceptive, I think. I'm glad you like it though. Yea, Glorfindel! I'm glad you liked the angry Elrond. No one can stay calm all the time. I'm glad you found it realistic. The answers to all your questions are coming. Patience my friend.

Gemini969: Is this soon enough for you?

Athelas: Thank you. Explanations coming, I promise.

Shadow Fox777: Here you are. How about daily updates? My husband had gone to Kuala Lumpur for seven weeks on business, would daily updates help?

Thank you to all who review it helps to know what you think…

Love,

Shell

Also look out for a little story called Once Upon A Time by the authors Meisilliam and Uhmm me. Please let us know what you think? Please? Please? I'll update! Honest!!!