Disclaimer: Please see chapter twenty.
Thank you Katy.
Chapter Twenty One
The remainder of the day had passed slowly in Rivendell. Elrond himself felt stronger, his own Elven healing abilities kicking in and ridding the Elf of any residue of his concussion. Legolas slept on and off, his body asking for the rest it needed.
Estel and Haldir had checked out the 'empty' room in the Halls of Healing, making good use of the back door once more. Nothing had been touched and they had left then, making sure not to be seen.
When they returned to Elrond's bedchamber it was to find Legolas awake once more and not very happy at all. After the soup episode (as Elladan was now heard to refer to it) Elrond had agreed to let him have soft but more nutritious food. From the look on the Prince's face it still was not to his liking.
Passing by Thranduil and glancing casually over the King's shoulder Estel could not stop his own grimace. Whatever was in the bowl looked quite disgusting and given the choice there was no way he himself would eat it.
"Come, Legolas, this is good for you. Calenli made it for you himself, his own special recipe he said." Thranduil was doing his best to persuade his son to take the spoonful of mush. The black look and grimly tightened lips told their own tale.
"Please, Legolas, you need to eat," All he got in reply was a turned head and a mumble.
"What was that, Ion-nin? I did not hear that clearly."
"G… give hi.. Him." Estel was trying hard not to laugh. It was just so nice to have his friend back. To see that stubborn streak once more so apparent was wonderful.
"Give who and what?" Thranduil was puzzled, he had no idea what Legolas was trying to say. Elrond saved the Prince.
"I think you will find that what Legolas is trying to say is you should give that to Calenli. If he thinks it is so good, then he should eat it. Am I right, Legolas?" Elrond could not stop his amusement from shining in his eyes.
"Y…yes." Legolas was glowering at his father.
"I can not say I blame you. It seems I will have to speak to Calenli once more." A snort from Estel. "He has these phases, he decides that only he can cook for an invalid and makes his own concoctions. I dread to think what is in that." Estel was laughing now, joined by Haldir.
"Do you remember when Elrohir lost his argument with the Orc and bruised his jaw? He could not eat solid food for a week and Calenli made a special dish especially for him at every meal. I think the best or worst depending on how you look at it; was banana and Swede mashed together." Even Thranduil looked green at that description. "Ada managed to stop him adding the mashed parsnip! I thought Elrohir was going to kill him!" Even Elrond was laughing at the memory.
Thranduil very quietly put the bowl to one side treating it almost as if it held poison. The triumphant expression on Legolas' face finished the room off and soon all were laughing.
"You need not have another of Calanli's 'specials', Legolas. I would not put you through that torture!" Thranduil's smile was wide as he thought of his instructions he would be giving to his own cook the next time the twins were in Mirkwood. Special indeed. It was time the King got his own back on the two little devils. "I will go and speak to him, see if we can not come up with something a little more… appetising."
Thranduil left the room, the bowl held at arms length. The sight set Estel off laughing once more.
Once Thranduil had returned and Legolas had eaten the nourishing soup his father had ordered. Elrond had Estel check Legolas' wounds. He was pleased with how they were finally beginning to heal. Now that they had finally isolated the poison attacking the Elf's system, he was finally responding.
His left leg, while still swollen to a certain extent was beginning to return to its normal colour, the smell that had been present was no completely gone and granulation of the wound itself was beginning. The look on the Prince's face said it was still very painful. Under his father's close scrutiny Estel cleaned and dressed the wound. One by one all of Legolas' injuries were tended, and by the end Elrond was pleased. Legolas though, was white lipped and silent. His right hand crushed his fathers and the King's hand and skin were bleached white at the strong hold.
Estel needed no instructions to give Legolas the herbal tea he had prepared earlier that day. While the tea was working he began to massage Legolas left leg using the instructions from Elrond. It was time to begin the exercises that would help the Elf become mobile once more.
Elrohir swung his sword at the last remaining Orc. He could only grin at the sight of Mithrandir braining his Orc with his staff. It was over. They had saved the village. He exchanged a tired grin with the wizard. He was about to make a quip when he heard Glorfindel's cry of "Elladan!"
He swung around exhaustion forgotten just as Elladan collapsed in Glorfindel's arms. He did not stop but ran across to where the two Elves, Mithrandir was close behind him.
"What happened?" He helped Glorfindel lay Elladan on the ground, accepting the cloak that Mithrandir passed to him. He folded it and placed it under his brother's head. Using his own as a blanket he lay it over the unconscious Elf.
Glorfindel was expertly checking Elladan over. Elrohir brushed his tangled hair away from his forehead, taking in the deep slash that was evident across the fair skin. It would need to be stitched, it was too deep to leave.
Glorfindel groaned as he found the deep slash mark across Elladan's arm, the skin around it was already showing the black residue of poison that the Orcs regularly used on their scimitars and arrows.
"He has been poisoned. Mithrandir, get my pack. I have some athelas in it, it should be enough to halt it until we get him back to Rivendell. Elrohir, are you injured at all?" Glorfindel was already reaching for the water skin Andechoriel was holding out to him.
"No, not a scratch. Will he be all right?" Elrohir was matching his moves by having clean soft cloths ready for Glorfindel to use to clean the wounds with.
"We found the poison in enough time, he should have no problems. If it had been Legolas…"
He did not need to say more, in fact did not need to. Legolas was well known for hiding his injuries, he hated to think of himself as being weak and being injured was just that. Weak.
"We need to get him out of here. The bodies of the Orcs will attract Wolves. Can we make use of the village?" Glorfindel was looking at Mithrandir.
"We shall." The Istar's tone left no doubt as to the truth of his statement. He moved away heading towards the Elves from the village.
Between the two of them, they quickly cleaned and dressed the wounds with athelas before wrapping them in temporary dressings. Just as they finished the last one rain began to fall softly.
Wrapping Elladan in the clean cloak of Mithrandir's they gently lifted him and carried him into the village, following Mithrandir as he led them to the healing room.
Elladan was groaning and tossing his head as they reached the cover of the chamber. Rain was falling in earnest now, making visibility difficult.
All took cover who could, giving them all to take stock of casualties. Aside from Elladan there were only a few injuries and only two being treated for poison. Miraculously there had been no deaths on their side, not even in the party of the village.
Mithrandir took control of dealing with the villagers leaving Elrohir and Glorfindel to look after the injured alongside the settlements own healer.
They had been very pleased the Healer upon having the warning that Orcs were on the way had set some of the Elleth' s to readying the athelas and making the herb tea that would counteract the poisons favoured by the horrible creatures.
It also meant that Elladan could be treated right there and then. It was Elrohir who took it upon himself to feed the tea to his already fevered brother.
It was a long night for Elrohir, whilst he knew his brother would be alright, the poison had weakened him. It caused him to have horrendous nightmares on and off all night, mostly about Legolas. It seemed that even when away from him they were worrying about the Prince.
All night the rain pelted down on the roof causing a cacophony of sound. Elrohir found himself missing the Last Homely House with its sloped roof's that prevented just this noise from happening. Andechoriel and his warriors had gathered all the Orc corpses to one side, they would be burnt once they were dry enough. They had also been moved far away from the village so that any predators out in the foul weather would not come near to the settlement.
As a dull dawn broke the next morning, Elrohir was slumped asleep by his brother's bed. Glorfindel was slumped in a chair, fair hair falling across his face as he too nodded off. Mithrandir sat happily by the window, watching as the rain finally petered out, happily puffing on his pipe, ignoring the evil looks the healer was sending his way. Instead he just sent a row of smoke Elves battling their way through smoke Orcs his way. Highly amused at the expressions that crossed the healer's face; even the hard hidden grin that crossed the fair face.
They would be heading back to Rivendell as soon as the healer was pleased with his patients condition. Mithrandir knew all too well that this had been a diversion, but they had had to meet the threat. The one thing this trip had given him chance to do was think. He was now sure he knew what was going on and why. He would have to let it play itself out to see if he was right….
Thranduil stood watching the grounds outside the Last Homely House. Rain had started to fall at sometime in the afternoon, causing gloom to fall. Any one who did not have to be outside stayed inside and the courtyard was deserted.
Legolas was once more asleep, as was Elrond. He had a feeling that the last tea Estel had given his father had had a little extra. Estel was reading by the fire while Haldir was cleaning his sword, causing it to gleam in the light. All of them apart from the invalids had carried out this act at some point in the day. Haldir had even greased his bow in readiness.
This had amused the King, in all likelihood any fighting would be done at close quarters and the March Warden would not have the range to knotch his bow. Let alone fire it.
A shadow moving outside caught his eye and he froze on the spot. Nothing moved. Neither did Thranduil all his senses told him this was it. This was not normal. He did not dare to even breathe.
It took a while but eventually the shadow moved again. Thranduil raised his arm, giving the pre-arranged signal. All movement in the room stopped. Haldir moved silently to Thranduil's side. They watched as one at a time five shadows slowly entered the courtyard. Hugging buildings and trees they slowly made their way across to the Hall's of Healing. It took them a good fifteen minutes to reach their goal.
One by one they slipped inside the building. They left no sign of having been there.
Estel made his way to his father's pallet and gently woke him. "Ada, they are here." Elrond's nod told him his father was aware and ready. His hand had already taken hold of his own short blade under the cover.
They did not really expect the assailants to make it to the room they were in, but they all wanted to be certain. Haldir had moved to the door and stood prepared. Silence fell.
Tense long moments passed. The only sound in the room was the crackling of the fire and the small sighs that Legolas gave every once in a while.
A loud bang and shouting broke the silence. The door to the Halls of Healing flew open and four shrouded figures ran from the building, heading straight towards the forest and not the main gates.
The guards were on to it quickly and lights flared as lanterns were lit. More armed warriors joined the throng. More shouting could be heard from the Hall's of Healing. Erestor could be seen running from their building and giving orders. The guards split off into groups. One group headed out of the gates and the other in the same direction as the fleeing assailant.
Aware that the danger had once more passed, Thranduil and the others relaxed. The threat for now was gone.
The King stayed where he was though, watching as the drama played out. More Elves were running into the House of Healing, joined by Erestor. Silence fell again in the light filled courtyard.
It was a while before he saw a figure leaving the other building. It was Erestor and even from where Thranduil stood his face was set into grim lines. He looked up at Thranduil as he crossed the courtyard and Thranduil felt his heart drop. Some thing was wrong.
He was right. The sequences of knocks sounded and Haldir carefully opened the door. Once certain of whom it was he lowered his sword and opened the door wider. Erestor moved quickly inside, shaking off the rain that was still falling.
"Was it them?" Thranduil's voice was tense.
"Yes, they got to the room and completely wrecked it. Every pillow had slash marks. That is not the only problem. One of your junior healers interrupted them."
"Who?" Elrond was trying to sit himself up straighter.
"Deanol. He managed to kill one of them before they killed him." The sadness in Erestor's voice was heart breaking.
"How?" Elrond had his eyes closed, the death of an immortal was always hard. But the death of a healer, one who had spent his life healing others. It was hard to except.
"He used his herb knife, it was the only weapon he had on him. He was stabbed, in the heart. He would not have known anything. It would have been fast." Elrond's sad nod did not help any of them.
"What of his killer?" Estel's voice was hard, these Elves were targeting his family and friends, if he had his way he would out there looking for them.
"He escaped, one of the guards from the gate injured him. A slash wound to the arm. The other died almost instantly. He is being searched now for any clues. I do not expect him to have any. Who ever these Elves are, they are careful." His frustration was evident.
"Yes, who ever they are, they are clever. But they will slip up. All it will take is one error and then I will be on to them…" The promise in Thranduil's voice caused a shiver to run down the spines of all those present.
What more could be said?
Nothing more happened and the search parties all came back empty handed. The Elves they were chasing had seemed to melt into the forest. Uncannily like the abilities of the Wood Elves.
Morning rose, dull and over cast in Rivendell. With the first light of dawn more Elves began moving around. Guards had been increased and security tightened even harder, if it were possible.
In Elrond's chamber all was silent, nothing more had disturbed them and all had managed to get some sleep. Elrond had made the decision that he would begin to move, his leg was healing well, and even his ribs no longer pained him.
Legolas had had a minor fit in his sleep during the early morning. He was still sleeping it off, he still had no idea what had occurred during the evening before.
The sun had just broken through the cloud cover just after the mid day bell when a messenger came from Mithrandir telling them the Orc threat had been eradicated, but that Elladan had been injured. The good news was that they were on their way back and should be with them by the following evening.
Estel still wished he was with them. He was always with them when they fought and it felt so wrong. Looking at his still friend he realised it was worth it.
Back in their cave the leader hissed as the wound on his arm was cleaned. It was deep, muscle could be clearly seen. It was tightly wrapped. It would have to wait to be treated, they certainly did not have the time now.
He was angry, very angry. This was a mess and getting worse by the day. They had lost one of their party know. And still they had not even got close to the Prince. He needed to think and time to plan. It would have to be big, very big. They would have to contend with Elrond and his son as well. This could not get any worse!
To be continued
Replies to reviews:
Iccle fairy: Thank you, Mellon-nin. I'm glad you are continuing to enjoy this. Sorry about the now and know. As Katy my Beta will tell you I have a little problem with that. Sad really almost 42 and I still get them muddled. I think we all have problems with our worms sometimes don't we?
Deana: Me to a Legolas to hug Sigh. Poor Legolas.
LishaChan: I had some problems with them too. I hope you like this….
Gozilla: An update just for you. Enjoy.
Once again, thanks to all my reviewers and I hope you will all join me soon.
Love,
Shell
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