Disclaimer: We still do not own the characters.

Chapter Seventeen

Time did tell its tale and it brought them all down to earth with a bump. Legolas was still asleep and cradled in his fathers arms when Telmenelion took a turn for the worst just before the bell rang for the morning meal.

The foal's coughing became harsher and his breathing echoed around the stall. Once more he was given the herbs that would help him, although he took them reluctantly. Thranduil had not wanted to waken Legolas, he had not asleep long, still convinced the spiders were still outside.

That was one thing that puzzled the King. Just how Legolas had known they were there. All Wood Elves had an affinity with nature and could talk and hear the trees, some had to listen long and hard and some with ease; But for an Elfling to have this ability? It did not usually become apparent until after they had reached their majority.

And what about the revelation that Legolas could hear and talk to the wind? Thranduil had to admit that he had never once in his long life heard of any Elf able to converse with the wind. Horses and trees, yes he could understand that, but not the wind. He would need to speak to both Elrond and Mithrandir about this development. Not that it made any difference to him; it just made Legolas just that little more special.

"Ada?" The voice was decidedly sleepy. He looked down to take in sleep filled eyes.

"Yes, little One." He smiled in reassurance.

"I hungry and legs hurt."

"We have some of your favourites; Nolvo brought them down for you." It had not just been Nolvo, but Alcarnor and Elardion. He had not been pleased at first to see them, not after the incident with the spiders over night. He had been relieved to find they had been accompanied by a fresh patrol.

"They have brought you some fresh bread and strawberry jam. Will you have some and then we can give you something to help your legs?" Elardion was already spreading the bread with the jam with a small smile; Legolas did so love his strawberries in any shape or form.

"How is Tel, Ada?" Legolas turned his head towards the foal.

"Not very well, little Leaf, but he is still with us." Elardion handed the Elfling his slice of bread, to all watching it appeared as if the bread was inhaled. One minute it was in Legolas' hand the next it had vanished. Elardion was already preparing another slice for his younger brother.

Soon all that was left was a sticky Elfling being encouraged to take the herb tea for his legs. "Ada? Spiders are gone."

"Yes, little One, the spiders are all gone."

"Good, no like. Trees are happy now." The voice was calm and content.

"How long have you been able to talk with the wind, Legolas?" Thranduil needed to know.

Legolas just shrugged his shoulder grimacing at the taste of the herbs. "Ever since Nana went away; but not always." It was clear that Legolas did not think this was unusual.

"How often do you hear them?" Thranduil could not stop his curiosity.

"Not often, when they want. Horses are fun; they tell me lots of stories. They say Tel will be alright and we will learn to rise and shoot arrows." A sleepy yawn as the herbs began to take affect.

"Learn to shoot arrows? Who has said that you can learn to shoot arrows?" There was a frown on Thranduil's face know. For Ada's sake his son was only five!

"Want to help get rid of spiders. Tel, Growly and me will help."

"But who said they would teach you to shoot?" There was alarm in Thranduil's voice now.

"No one, just want to help you." A harsh cough brought them all around to look at the foal, his dull eyes unblinking as he watched his master.

Legolas reached for his nose and Thranduil moved them closer so that Legolas could reach with ease. They all watched fascinated at the bond between Elfling and foal. Legolas had his eyes closed as he gently stroked the foal's velvety nose.

None could take their eyes away from the scene before them as slowly but surely Telmenelion's breathing seemed to calm down and even out. The sound of his breathing was still harsh but the foal seemed an awful lot calmer. Legolas was mumbling under his breath to his friend, words of encouragement and love.

Soon the foal was resting once more; when Solaeren checked him over he found the foal's temperature, while still high, was not as high as it had been. Even the nasal discharge seemed to have decreased. Solaeren could only look at the Elfling and his family in amazement.

"Legolas, what did you just do?" Estel could not hide his astonishment.

"Told him to get well and we can play." Legolas was still stroking the foal's nose.

"What did you say and how did you know how to do it?" Elardion knelt beside his father and brother.

"Horses told me, they helped too. They say he will be well now and we can leave him. His Naneth will look after him."

They all looked at each other unsure as to what was really going on.

"Why not wait just a little longer, Leafie? We can be sure then." Nolvo was just as puzzled as the rest.

Legolas settled back down into his father's lap, Growly's ear once more safely in his mouth. He was happy to be here with Tel and have his family around him, if only…

The grooms and their helpers were making their way into the stables to begin their days work. Trudging at the back was a familiar black head. Legolas felt as if his heart would break with joy as he realised just who it was that he was seeing. It was Drowlin, a very tired looking Drowlin it was true but his brother none the less.

To his disappointment Drowlin did not even look in their direction, he would have liked so much to show Tel to him.

"Ada, there's Drowlin. I can see Drowlin!"

"I know, Ion-nin. I did tell you he was alright." Thranduil watched his delighted son as he continued to watch out for any sign of his brother.

By the time the mid day had sounded it was obvious that Telmenelion was on the way to recovering. It would take at least six weeks of rest and care but at least he know had a chance. It was a much happier group that made its way back to the Palace.

Once there Thranduil carried his tired Elfling to his chamber. A good long sleep was what was required now after the drama of last night. Settling Legolas in and tucking his toys beside him, Thranduil could only take in the innocent sight of his youngest son, Growly's ear held tight in his mouth. As he stood watching one slender hand reached to take hold of Pinkie and pulled the toy close. The other hand followed suit and Elly joined his friends. Thranduil knew in that moment that he would have to thank Arwen again for making the toys for his son.

With a sigh the Elfling settled down to sleep. Thranduil watched for a moment content to have this quiet time with no one else about before leaving the chamber, he as much as he wished he had not, had work to do. He needed to know just how far the spider's incursion had breeched their defences. The darkness surrounding his home was increasing by the day. He needed to take a fresh look at the protection that was already in place.

Not long after the King left the chamber a silent figure made its way to the Elfling's bedside. Careful not to wake him the figure gently stretched Legolas' right arm out and measured it. Once finished he replaced Pinkie back in the crook of Legolas' arm before measuring the torso. As silently as he entered the figure left, leaving no one the wiser to the visit.

Two silent figures made their way surreptitiously down the corridor careful not to harm their delicate burden. Once at the chamber they needed they made certain no one was about before checking the chamber for its occupants.

On seeing that the room was empty, they made their way inside, closing the door slightly, but leaving it open by a crack in case they needed to hide. Making their way to the beds they pulled back the covers and taking a breath each of the two emptied the contents of the sack onto the bed before covering them and making the bed so that no one would think the room had been disturbed. They then made their way out of the chamber trying not to laugh. This should be fun.

Across the other side of the Palace, something similar was also happening. Two figures entered another chamber and instead of heading to the beds they made their way to the wardrobe. The figures only had one sack, but it took both of their strength to hold it, the contents were struggling and trying to fight its way out. With one glance and nod they threw the sack into the wardrobe and quickly shut the door.

With a sigh of relief they made their way out of the chamber, closing the door behind them. They could not wait until later that night. This would be fun.

Legolas woke late that afternoon to his legs tingling once more, but to his relief they were not as bad as they had been. He even felt as if he could walk on his own. With no one about he decided now would be the best time to try. He managed a good seven steps before the sensation of burning began. The more he tried the more his muscles protested. Finally he sat with a thump just in front of the door. Now how could he get back?

He tried massaging his legs as he had seen Elrond do, but had to stop when it became too much, tears trickled down his face.

A quiet knock on the door made him look up and as the door opened he saw Elardion.

"Legolas! What happened, little One, did you fall?" He rushed to his younger brother's side. Moving as carefully as he could he scooped Legolas up into his arms before sitting him on the bed and looking him over for any new injuries.

"Did you fall, Leafie? Tell me where it hurts?" He gently brushed the tears off of the pale face.

"My legs.. My legs hurt. I tried to walk, I wanted to surprise every one. It hurts." Fresh tears made their way down his face.

"You will walk again, Legolas, it will hurt because you have not been using them. I promise the pain will go. Would you like something to help it for the minute?" He brushed the tangled hair and tucked it behind the delicately pointed ear.

"Yes, please. Do you need to tell Ada?" Legolas could not stop the hiccoughs that accompanied his tears.

"Do you want me to?"

"No, he will be mad at me." Legolas had gone even paler at the thought of how angry his Ada would be.

"It will be our secret, little Leaf, but he would only be worried about you hurting yourself. Promise me you will not do this on your own again?"

"I promise." The voice sounded so small and sad.

"Let me make your tea and then if you would like, before we go down for our meal, I will take you and Growly down to see Telmenelion. Would you like that?" He was already crushing herbs and mixing them with water, they would be far more effective with hot water, but the thought of boiling water within the Elfling's reach was enough to give him nightmares. Cold tea would have to do, followed by the large juicy strawberry he had managed to sneak from the palace's hot house. Not that there were many left after the twins sojourn of the other days. Still the gardener would soon have more growing.

Every one, just everyone knew about the youngest Princes' passion for the fruit.

"Here you go, little One, drink all of that and I have a treat for you." The tea vanished in record time, Elardion laughed at the disgusted look on Legolas face. "If you continue to look like that you may find you can not change back to normal."

It was an old tease and Legolas gave the old reply of sticking his tongue out, albeit delicately. Elardion's laughter filled the chamber. "May be this will help with the taste?"

Legolas' eyes widened as he took in the ripe red fruit. "For me?" He looked shyly at his brother.

"Yes, minx for you." He watched as Legolas delicately bit into the fruit eyes closed in pleasure at the taste. "Is that all better?"

"Yes, thank you 'Dion." Legolas' reward was a kiss on his forehead.

"Let us get you ready to go and see Telmenelion. You will need to be dressed warmly, it is very cold out there."

Soon both were making their way down to the stables, Legolas safely held in his brother's arms, Growly in much the same position in Legolas' arms.

The stable was wonderfully warm when they reached it, the fire in the brazier and the torches in their brackets adding a homely air. Tonight in all likelihood would be the first frost of the season, even know the grooms and stable hands were moving the stallions from their field into their winter paddocks.

Greeting the stable hands and grooms currently working, Elardion carried Legolas to Telmenelion's stall. To both of their delight the foal was sleeping, his breathing an awful lot easier, he was no where near as congested. The partially empty feed bucket to one side of the stall was evidence enough of the foals improvement. Even as they stood watching a nose poked its way over the top of the stall and gave a sniff and a little whinny. It was his mother.

Content that his friend was indeed getting better, the two made their way out into the cold once more, breath white in the air. It would not be long before the sun gave way to night and Elardion wanted to get Legolas back into the safety of the palace before that fact occurred to Legolas.

Dinner was a cheerful affair, all happy that Telmenelion was on the road to recovery. If any one noticed the surreptitious looks that each set of twins were giving each other no one paid them any attention.

It was not long before a weary Legolas was once more being taken to his chamber to settle for the night. They had just drawn level to Nolvo and Alcarnar's room when Thranduil felt Legolas stiffen in his arms.

"Spider." The voice was a whisper and quavered slightly with fear.

"Legolas, there are no spiders in the palace, I promise you." Thranduil tried to reassure.

"Spider!" The voice was adamant.

"Where is the spider then, little One?"

A shaking hand pointed towards the twin's room. "Shall we go and have a look?" Thranduil did not know what else to do to reassure his son.

"No!!" Panic was know evident for Thranduil to see. He gently sat Legolas on the floor.

"I will go and have a look. You wait here, I will be out in a moment." Thranduil carefully opened the door, putting on a show for his son to convince him nothing was there. Taking a look around and finding nothing he was making his way back to Legolas when he heard it.

It was a thumping sound and it was coming from the wardrobe. Thranduil smiled, convinced now that the twins were playing a trick on them as they always did. Reaching for the handle he opened the door only to be pushed back with great force. To his horror before him, hissing and extremely angry was a baby spider.

Legolas' scream of terror echoed through the Palace bringing Elves running to see what could possibly be wrong.

It did not take Thranduil long to deal with the threat and he turned to find Legolas in Lomion's arm sobbing with fright and shaking.

Muscles jumped in his jaw as he turned to look for his twin sons. Any one who knew him could tell he was in a towering temper. "Which of you did this?" His voice was a hiss. He noticed with relief that Lomion had taken Legolas away from the door.

"Well? If the culprit does not own up you will both be punished." He would not have them terrorise Legolas this way.

"Ada, I do not know who did this, it certainly is not us, we know…" Nolvo tried desperately to explain.

"Thranduil, I think you may very well be accusing the wrong Elves." Elrond had been watching his sons very carefully as all this was happening.

"What makes you say that, Mellon-nin?" He did not take his cold stern gaze off of the two in front of him.

"It just may be the look of guilt that is written all over their faces. Am I right?"

Two dark heads bowed unable to meet their furious parent's eye.

"Yes, Ada, but to was only meant to be a joke. Legolas was not meant to be anywhere near it." Elrohir tried to explain.

"Do you think that makes it right? That you would bring such a dangerous creature into our host's home and terrorise an Elfling who you already knew had a big problem with spiders? I can not believe that you would embarrass me this way. I do not even want to think about how you caught the spider without being bitten!" His voice throbbed with anger. Estel was glaring daggers at them. "Go to your chambers and stay there. I will be along to talk with you and it will not be pleasant I will tell you that. If you set one foot outside of your chambers before then, you will be going home ahead of the rest of us. Go!"

The pair did not need to be told twice and heads hung they fled the room.

"I am sorry, Thranduil, I can not believe that they would behave like this." He ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

"You had no idea, Elrond. May I leave their punishment to you? I think the fear of being sent home in disgrace was more of a punishment that I could come up with. Did you see them move!" Thranduil gave a small laugh.

"I do not think I have ever seen them move so fast! Shall we go and see how Legolas is? I fear my son's idea of a joke may well have put his psychological recovery back somewhat."

Thranduil joined his friend at the door before turning to ask Elardion to organise the clean up of the room.

Lomion had had no luck in calming Legolas down he was still sobbing with fear, convinced the spider was after him. In the end Elrond gave him a mixture of pain and sleeping herbs to help him. Thranduil held him close crooning an Elven lullaby as the drugs took affect and Legolas slept.

Thranduil found he did not want to let his little Leaf out of his sight, so rather than leave him in his own chamber the King took his son to his. Arms wrapped around the Elfling he settled down for the night.

Something was tickling his nose. That was the first thought that entered his sleep muddled mind. A lazy hand brushed what ever it was away. It returned a minute later and he again tried to brush the offending irritant away. A happy giggle brought him to full awareness.

Legolas was sat beside him using Growly's paw to tickle his nose. With a playful roar Thranduil picked the Elfling up and began to tickle him unmercifully. Laughter soon echoed down the hall way. Any one who heard it could not help but smile at the infectious sound.

Breakfast was quiet, the twins had apologised profusely as their Adar had ordered them to. It said much for Nolvo and Alcarnor's sense of fair play that they had removed their own little joke before anything else could happen.

Drowlin had taken his place quietly at the table and with out fuss. His punishment well and truly finished. He had enjoyed laying in that morning after two months of being up before the lark. Now he could begin to put his plans into action.

He scowled into his napkin at the sight of Legolas sitting on their Ada's lap, it would appear that the Brat was still flavour of the month, but that would soon change he could promise that.

He did not notice that he was being watched and watched closely. Not only by his own brother's but by Estel and his brothers. It had been decided that they would keep a good eye on the other Elf and prevent him from hurting the Elfling again.

Lomion disappeared after the meal, not letting any one know where he was going. No one could find him for the entire morning. If any one thought this was unusual, nothing was mentioned.

Legolas spent the morning playing in the family room with Estel and the Elardion. The play had two goals. One was to keep him company and stop him being bored. The other was a subtle form of exercise to help Legolas begin to move his legs more, mindful of the pain that would in all become a factor in his recovery.

By the midday bell Legolas was sore and out of sorts. He did not want to move and he did not want to eat. In fact as far as he was concerned he wanted to do nothing other than lay on his bed and do nothing.

This was not an option though as Elardion carried him down to the dining chamber. None of them knew that two surprises waited for him there. One he would love but the other would only cause the Elfling more problems.

To be continued

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