Disclaimer: Please see chapter one

A big hug and Thank you to my beta Katy

Chapter Twelve

For one very, very long minute there was complete silence in the room. It was so still that a pin could have been heard dropping all the way in Mordor. No one moved, no one said a thing. They all sat gaping at Legolas in shock, their chins almost to the floor.

It was Elrond who pulled himself together first and he moved swiftly to the side of Legolas' pallet. "How do you feel, Penneth?" His voice and smile were soft and calm; he did not want to frighten his patient any more than he already was.

"B… b… bad."

"In what way, Penneth, are you in pain?" At Legolas' puzzled frown he simplified the question. "Do you hurt?"

"Y… y… yes."

"Can you tell me where?" He was looking keenly at Legolas, watching his responses to the questions he was being asked.

"E… evew… evew…" He could not say the word. "All."

"All over? You hurt every where?" Elrond frowned.

"Y… yes." They could all hear the exhaustion in Legolas' voice.

"I can get you something for that, Penneth." he moved away to the herb table and began to expertly chop the roots and herbs he would need. He could not give too strong a dose that at present could cause more problems.

He did not realise Estel had followed him to the table, so deep was he in thought. "Ada? Legolas, he…"

"I know, Estel, I know. I can give you no information until Legolas has his pain under control. Until then I am sorry I can tell you nothing." Elrond watched as Estel gave a dejected nod before moving odd once more. How he wished he could give him good news.

Once the tea was ready he crossed once more to the pallet that the young Prince occupied. "Here you are, Penneth, this will help." He helped Legolas to drink, noting that he did not even try to use his left arm and that the right had a slight tremor to it.

Once the tea was finished Elrond smiled once more. "Well done, now can I ask you a question? Can you tell me where you are?

"N… no." The blond had his eyes closed, fighting the growing pain in his head, and it hurt just to think…

"Can you tell me you name?"

"Y… yes, i… it is… it…. It…" Panic rose in his voice.

"Do not trouble yourself, Penneth, it will come back."

"P… p… pen…?" There was real confusion in his voice, his name was Penneth?

"It means, little one and is a term of endearment. " He could tell that Legolas was still confused but let the matter drop, they could come back to that later if need be.

"Let me introduce us. You know us well, but after that bump on the head you took it is not surprising that you do not know us. I am Elrond; these two are Elladan and Elrohir. This young man is Estel and the Elf over there is Glorfindel." He once more smiled that serene smile most Elves could conjure at the drop of a hat.

"M… me?"

"You, Penneth, are Legolas. You are well known and loved here, so you are safe." Legolas eyes were dropping, sleep once more close to claiming him. "Legolas, I know you are tired but can you squeeze my hands?" There was no difference from last time. Elrond moved to the foot of the pallet. "Can you push against your feet against my hands?" The left foot was weak also. "Well, done. Sleep now, Penneth, we will be here with you.

Legolas needed no convincing and within minutes his eyes closed, sending him into dreams, the closed eyes spoke eloquently of his exhaustion.

The all waited until certain that Legolas was in a deep sleep before speaking.

"Ada?" Estel's voice held a wealth of questions.

"His memory loss seems severe, we will need to keep him stimulated to try and bring it back. Tales from your hunts and travels, things like that. He has a slight weakness on his left side. Then there is his speech, it could be pure exhaustion. We will have to wait and see on that. But for now, try not to crowd him too much; it will only cause him more anxiety."

At everyone's silent nods and dejected faces he could only say. "You need to keep on being positive, this may only be temporary. Even if it is not, he will need us all the more."

They settled once more into their positions to wait for Legolas to wake once more. Elrohir left once to go to the library to get the cheers set. He had challenged Glorfindel to a match; he needed to get back at the Balrog Killer for the last time they had played. To say he had been slaughtered was an understatement…

Across the settlement, one Elf was just as unhappy. Stupid, how could he have been so stupid? One tiny slip, one laps of concentration and he had almost been caught. He could not believe that he had almost been caught by Glorfindel.

He looked across at the guards under the balcony. He now had no way to get in. He could not get passed them. He had to think, too plan.

His sole mission now was to get his own back on the Brat. That was all that mattered now. Twice he had almost had him, twice he had failed. He would not do so again. That he promised. Either the brat died or he would.

Revenge that was what this was all about. Revenge, pure and simple…

His eyes narrowed, how could he get to the brat? He had heard that more guards stood on the floor leading to the room thirsting was in.

Then he got it a diversion! And he knew exactly how to do it…

All was quiet in the healing room. Legolas had woken briefly, long enough to have some more tea and some clear light broth, before once again falling into sleep.

Elrond was pleased the Princes' fever had finally broken that afternoon and his wounds seemed to be responding to the treatment they were being given. It seemed as if at long last Legolas' Elven healing had returned. It was no more than a little obvious that the poison held something to inhibit that ability. He wished he could meet whom ever made this particular poison, they were clever yes, but very cruel and he would cheerfully strangle them if he could.

Elrond crossed to the window to look out over the settlement. How he loved this, loved his people. It hurt to believe that one of the Elves he considered one of his own, could turn against them. The list of their crimes were adding up by the day. What did they hope to achieve by this? Why Legolas? His reflection smiled wryly back at him as he realised he had no idea of the answers to these questions. Tine would tell.

Aragorn's startled yelp brought him around. Legolas was seizing once more.

Ten minutes later they could all relax once more. Elrond now knew that these seizures were not entirely down to the fever. They had to be solely as a result of the head injury. With Estel's help they moved the Prince back into a more comfortable position. Then they all returned to their pursuits before the seizure.

Elrond moved towards the fire and the small desk that had been brought in so that he could still see to the running of Rivendell without leaving the room. It was boring, it was routine, but it was what he needed right now. Something he did not really need to think to seriously about, something g he could deviate from as he once more thought over all that had happened.

He had to smile at Elrohir's yell of joy at check mating Glorfindel. He caught his old friend's eyes and realised that Glorfindel was doing exactly what he was doing. A wry grin passed between them. Elrohir insisted that Glorfindel play again to prove it was no fluke.

The board was set and Glorfindel, playing with the white pieces (they matched his hair), had just made the opening move when a bell was heard through out Rivendell. All heads apart from Legolas' raised their heads as one. All listened intently. Glorfindel crossed over to the window and opened it.

There was smoke on the wind. That could only mean…

The cry went up outside just as he was thinking it. "Fire! We have fire!!"

Pandemonium reigned; no one outside the House of Healing noticed the eyes that were watching, waiting for the guards to drop their posts. All he had to do was be patient…..

To be continued

A big thank you to all my reader and reviewers.

Responses:

Gemini969: Why thank you.

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Please take care and until next time.

Namarie,
Shell