Disclaimer: As much as I wish it I do not own these characters.
Thank you, Katy. My wonderful friend and Beta.
Chapter Twenty Six
For a moment no one moved and then Galadriel was on her feet and heading for the door. Shock was replaced by pleased surprise as they all took in the new arrival. For it was no other than Celeborn, Galadriel's husband.
"I am sorry, have I arrived at an inconvenient time?" His smile was calm.
"No, Mellon-nin, you are just in time. But please what are you doing here?" Thranduil could not believe he had all his friends here with him during this trying time.
"I was called here." Celeborn's eyes were distant as he spoke. "Legolas has need of me."
Even Galadriel blinked her eyes at that, but she was more than happy to have him here with her even if his response surprised her. "I am pleased to see you, Melleth. This is the leader of the group attempting to kill the Prince. We have just begun our interview."
They all turned back to the drugged Elf to find he had not moved at all.
"Please continue, Saefnol. Who is your Master?" Elrond's voice was low and encouraging once more.
"My Master is Master." The tone was once more vague.
"Does your Master have a name?" Thranduil growled this was getting them no where.
"Yes."
"What?!" Thranduil was coming close to loosing his legendary temper. Elrond tried to calm him down.
"Master."
"Does he have another name?" Galadriel's voice remained calm and Thranduil found him self respecting her even more.
"Master."
"Where did you meet your Master?" Celeborn's voice was a cool as a summer breeze.
"Mirkwood." The black eyes were riveted on Celeborn's face.
"What were your orders?" Was his next question.
"To find and kill the Prince of Mirkwood." Saefnol sounded as if he was having a light conversation with them not this serious one. To calmly admit to trying to assassinate the Prince!
"Did he give you any reason as to why he wanted the Prince killed?" Celeborn was now in front of him and kneeling to look him in the eye.
"No."
"Why did you take this assignment on?" Every one of them was puzzled.
"Had to, no choice."
"What do you mean you had no choice?" Thranduil's voice was soft now, there was more going on here than they had realised.
"He will kill my wife and son if I fail." The voice still held very little emotion.
Stunned silence filled the room once more. Although they still had a prisoner, they still were no nearer to finding out what had been behind all this.
"Where do you report to your Master?" Thranduil could feel sympathy for the Elf in front of him. If what he was saying was true and it appeared to be, he had little choice. As a father he knew how awful it would be if Legolas was held to ransom.
"He comes to us." Those unnerving black eyes were turned to him.
"How does he know where you are?" Glorfindel was just as confused as all the rest.
"I do not now he just does."
Something occurred to Elrond right at this point. "He is watching you?"
"Yes, always."
"Right now?" Elrond's brow was pulled into a frown.
"Yes."
"Can he hear us?" Thranduil's frown matched his own.
"Yes."
"Can we speak with him?" Celeborn had been watching him closely.
"No." The dark eyes seemed to glow for a minute. "He has nothing to say other than he will get the Prince."
"We will stop him every time he tries." Glorfindel promised his voice sure.
Saefnol gave a laugh that was unlike any they had ever heard before, even from an Elf. "He says you will fail."
"I would like to see you try." Thranduil could not control the hiss.
"He would brush you by like fleas, my Liege." The tone was utterly sarcastic.
"Let him try, traitor! You will be taken back to Mirkwood and tried for your crimes. I am sorry for your family, but still you will not give up, even though you have no chance of winning this fight." With that Thranduil marched from the tent making once more for the Hall's of healing.
The others apart from Glorfindel joined him, knowing there really was nothing more to say.
Glorfindel turned to the guards. "Watch him carefully. I want him checked on every fifteen minutes. If any thing happens I want to be the first person to be informed. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my Lord, we will watch him very carefully."
"Good, you would not be happy facing either lord Elrond or King Thranduil if the opposite happened." He too made his way across the courtyard, unaware that dark eyes were watching his every move.
As he entered the healing rooms he noticed servants rushing around, trying to gather more chairs for the new comers. He knew that Erestor would have already alerted Calenli about the increased numbers so that extra food could be prepared. No doubt sleeping chambers were also being prepared at this moment.
The room was quiet as he entered. Thranduil was once again sitting beside his son. Content to have even that contact.
Estel was curled up in a chair by the window, snoring gently and Glorfindel had to smile at the sight of Galadriel gently covering him with a blanket before brushing his hair gently from where it had fallen across his face. It was a wonderfully maternal moment as she cared for her foster grandchild.
Elrohir was reading, although it seemed as if he was far more interested in what was happening in the room to really be absorbing the written material.
Elladan and Haldir were once again in the middle of a very well fought game of chess. Elladan was still loosing much to his chagrin.
Elrond was resting on the bed and he could see by the tightness around his friend's mouth that his legs and ribs were once more paining him.
Mithrandir had gone for a long walk to think over what they had heard earlier.
Celeborn sat on the other side of Legolas' pallet, one pale, slim hand in his, watching his face carefully. He in turn was being watched by Elrond.
Glorfindel shrugged at that. He in turn looked at the injured Prince. He too, frowned when he took in just how pale and thin Legolas had become. His injuries and the continuing seizures were clearly taking their toll on the usually robust Elf. He could only pray that this would all soon end.
Thranduil and Celeborn began talking about Saefnol's interview. Glorfindel still felt very disappointed at this. He really had hoped they would have some clues and answers instead they were no nearer to having any idea who they were looking for.
They all settled down once more to wait. Elrond had asked Erestor to bring him some work; he could do little more at present. With Glorfindel's help they set up a table beside him to work on.
Later that afternoon a messenger from Mirkwood arrived with Missive's from Thranduil's head councillor Gloren. Thankfully there was nothing too urgent or pressing. Not that he would have left. Gloren was trusted and could run the Realm in his stead. Had done so before. He spent the afternoon reading through his communications and replying to them. His messenger had been given a room for the night, a good meal and he would make the return journey to Mirkwood the next day.
By the time the evening meal gong sounded, they were all feeling a little more rested. Elrond had tried to insist on eating in the Hall of Fire in deference to all his guests. His guests rebelled and as one adamantly refused to leave the Halls of Healing to eat.
So once more the herb table was put back into use as a dining table. For all that the meal was hot, well cooked and welcome. Celeborn in particular had partaken of much of the food. He had left Lothlorien in such a hurry he had had little time to gather proper provisions and had existed on nothing but water, berries and Lembas bread.
Along with the meal was a note that as soon as Legolas woke up once more Calenli would have his nourishing soup sent up to the room. That pleased Elrond for the Prince was missing far too many meals for his liking. He would need the energy they provided to heal.
Once their meal was finished and the table cleared to every one's amazement Galadriel suggested she and the young one's played a game of cards. The youngsters were surprised but quickly jumped at the chance. All thought this would be easy. They missed the amused look that passed between Elrond and Celeborn. They said nothing but just sat back and watched with amusement. Thranduil cocked his head at Glorfindel and the Balrog Slayer bent close to his ear and whispered to him. When he had finished Thranduil was trying his hardest not to laugh out loud. He settled down to watch one cool pale hand in his.
The game was lively and at first the youngsters were winning well and slowly they began to relax as they realised that Galadriel, whilst good at the game, was not spectacular. That was until about half way through the set number of games. At first they did not notice that the game was no longer going their way.
Haldir sat by the fire watching from his spot that he had chosen to read. He knew only too well not to play with his Lady. It would always end in tears. He glanced at Mithrandir who stood by the open balcony window, smoking his pipe, ignoring the glares of all the Elves. He had a distinct twinkle in his eyes.
It slowly dawned on Elladan that suddenly not every thing was going their way. In fact it was beginning to go the other way and soon he and his two brothers' were loosing heavily. In the end they lost miserably to their chagrin. It was not helped when everyone else in the room besides Legolas laughed at them.
They knew then that they had been tricked and by their grandmother as well. They smiled ruefully at being taken so well.
The laughter roused Legolas and the first to be aware of it was Thranduil when he felt his son's right hand squeeze his slightly. He smiled down at the Prince.
"How are you feeling, Ion-nin?" The room fell into silence as all waited for the reply.
"S… sore." hazy blue eyes watched him.
"I am not surprised. Is it bad?" That was one of his worries, that Legolas was still suffering such pain.
"Y… yes, h… head." Even know Legolas could not believe how exhausted he was at the simplest of things.
It was Estel who moved to the herb table to prepare the tea his friend was so in need of. Elrohir headed for the chamber door to alert Calenli that the Prince was awake and in need of some soup.
Celeborn relinquished his seat by Legolas' side to his wife and she lifted the pale hand into hers. He gave a very smile, exhausted smile back. "The tea will be ready shortly. I am sorry to see you so ill. It will pass; we will all be here to help you."
"T… thank y…you." Legolas could feel his eyes beginning to slide shut.
"Try and stay awake, Las Dien, you need to have some food." Thranduil had to smile at his son's reaction. Legolas had wrinkled his nose in something close to disgust.
"I promise it is nothing like was presented to you before. If it is I will feed it to Calenli for you." Thranduil could not miss the amusement that some how shone through the exhaustion.
Luckily for the cook the soup was accepted by Legolas, even if he did fall asleep half way through eating it.
Celeborn was watching the room, thoughtfully. He had tried many times on the way to Rivendell to sort out what had called him to Rivendell. He just did not know. It was as if something or some one was calling to him. He lurched up in his chair at that, startling every one in the room apart from Galadriel.
She was watching him with an affectionate smile on her lips. "You called me!"
"You have only just worked that out, Melleth-nin? I am surprised, but then I was some way away from you." They like most married Elves could communicate silently through their bonds. Because they rarely left each others side they used this gift very rarely.
"But why? Every thing seems to be under control here." He was so confused he could not hide it.
"There you have it. Seems to be. But is it?" Her eyes smiled teasingly at him.
"What do you mean?" He was really getting frustrated with her now.
"Just what I say, this is far from being finished. We still have no idea who is behind this? Or why?" Galadriel raised her right eyebrow causing the other s to try and stifle their laughs. Even Elrond could not stop the laugh. He just had a feeling that his father in law had just been hoodwinked.
"So what is it you want me to do?" He voice held a long suffering sigh. One that was well known by the others in the room who had been married.
"Be here, for Legolas. He needs all of us. He is still in danger, so the more of us the better." This time Galadriel looked at each of them, making sure they knew what she was trying to say. She finished with Thranduil who nodded his acceptance. She was only telling him what he already knew.
"I am glad that we all understand this." With that she challenged them all to another game. Strangely no one took her up on the offer.
Mithrandir turned once more to look outside, reaching for the leather pouch that held his tobacco. He froze, standing stock still. He could have sworn he had just seen…. He blinked and when he looked again there was nothing there. He must have imagined it. The shadows at this time of the year were long. He went back to his pipe and watching the moon.
It was not long before Galadriel and Celeborn made their excuses and left for their own chamber. Tonight it was Mithrandir and Haldir's turn to watch Legolas. After the seizure that morning it had been decided that two would stay with him at night.
Estel was once again dozing in the chair. Elladan had been banking up the fire and making sure that there was enough wood to last the night. They were making sure that there was plenty of hot water should it be needed.
One by one they settled for the night.
It had just passed the bell tolling midnight when a dark figure slipped from the shadows not far from where Mithrandir had been looking earlier. Making the use of the dark it headed steadily for the security talon where Saefnol was being held. It took the work of seconds to dispose of the two guards at the back of the shelter.
Using his blade the figure cut through the repaired back. He stood to one side as Saefnol quickly took his escape. No one was the wiser as they left Rivendell, swiftly and silently.
The alarm was raised an hour later after the guards had checked the talon.
It did not take long before an absolutely furious Glorfindel stood in front of them, demanding to know why the fifteen minute checks had not been done. The answer only served to infuriate him even more when they admitted that they did not feel it was necessary overnight.
They were summarily dismissed from their duty and told in so uncertain terms to attend both Glorfindel and Elrond the following morning. While this was going on, patrols were hastily being assembled to try and find the Elf.
They did not have to look very far because just outside the gates they found a sight that would remain with them for the rest of their days…
To be continued.
Once again, thank you to all my reviewers you are the best.
Replies to reviews.
Legolas-gurl88: Me a Doctor? No at least not yet. I am a nurse of 20 years practice with 2 degrees and half way through a PhD in biology. I am so glad you like this fic. I love HP too. Here's more for you, I'm sorry to keep you on such tenter hooks. Oh and I love keeping people hanging!!!
Laer4572: Watch that foam it can be very dangerous if you slip on it!
LishaChan: Of course I'll take a look at it for you. Where can I find it? Here's an update for you.
Jopru: Thank you and another cliffie as well. Ducks and hides behind her protective barrier.
IcyPanther: I am so sorry you are feeling so ill. Keep warm and stay careful. Colds are hell.
Shadow Fox777:
Welcome back. I hope you have had a great time? Glad you continue to enjoy this.
Well, I will see you all tomorrow I hope.
Love,
Shell