Disclaimer: We still do not own these characters, as depressing as that is.
Chapter twenty one
Estel hurried from the dining chamber, worry coursing through him. Legolas had been quiet all morning even a little withdrawn, but his reaction had been more than just a little unexpected. More so because he had caught the little grin Legolas had given himself before accepting Thranduil's fruit.
He hurried down the long corridor, his footsteps echoing around him. Where to start looking for an upset Elfling, his bedroom?
He made that his first stop. It was empty; as was the bathing chamber.
Where next, the library? Again it was empty.
What about Thranduil's bedchamber? A long shot but it was worth looking into. He gingerly opened the door the chamber was empty.
He even tried Thranduil's study to no avail. He did not think Legolas would leave the Palace; he was far too scared of the Spiders for that. As a last resort he checked all of the Prince's bedchambers including Drowlin's. They were all empty.
He was now beginning to get seriously worried. It was time to go back and start again at the beginning. He made his way back to Legolas' chamber.
Closing the door quietly behind him he took stock of the room. It was then he realised just what he had not seen before. All of Legolas toys were missing; every single one of them. The door to Mousey's house also stood open, it's occupant no longer safely inside. So Legolas had been in the room.
There was one place he had not looked, well two, really. He passed the first and opened the door to the wardrobe, it was empty, too. That left the Rabbits.
He made his way over to the large pen that had been set to one side of the room. It consisted of two parts; one was the day run so that the furry beings could hop about with out falling over each other. The other half was their 'bedroom', it held many rooms some odd shaped and with tunnels so that its occupants would not be bored. He had laughed at Lomion's explanation at the time, who knew the Crown Prince could work wood that well? Now, well now he realised that actually it was the perfect size for a very small Elfling to hide in. But Legolas was smaller than most Elfling's of his age.
He made his way softly to the large door that once open would show the 'rooms' in the pen. There on the bottom level, crammed in as small as he could make himself was Legolas, in his arms were all his toys and pets. Even the animals were still as the Elfling muttered reassurances to them, they were not even fighting to get away as Estel would have expected.
Estel knelt on the floor. When he spoke his voice was calm and quiet as one would use on a frightened, panicked animal. "Legolas, it is I, Estel; are you well?"
Two wide terrified eyes found his and Legolas shook his head.
"What is wrong, Little One? Can I help at all?" He opened his arms making him self as welcoming as possible. Legolas took a good long look around the room, not once but twice before he warily made his way out of the pen and into the waiting arms. It was not lost on Estel that Legolas had not left behind a single one of his charges. It looked to the human as if the small animals were perfectly happy as if aware that Legolas would cause them no harm.
"Come, it can not be that bad, can it?" He smiled down at his little friend.
"He send us away." The voice was back to being a whisper just as it had been when they had arrived for the funeral.
"Who, Leafie? Who will be sending you away?" Estel had an awful feeling he already knew.
"K… King." The voice quavered as did the tiny lip.
Estel felt his heart drop, it was as he feared. "He is your Adar, Legolas he will not be sending you away anywhere. Remember, he promised you?" He had to make the Elfling understand, but he also needed to know what had brought these fears back to the fore.
"Lied, they all hate me and want me away." The big, luminescent blue eyes were full of tears.
"They love you, Leafie, very much and it would hurt them a lot if you went away." He gently hugged the hunched figure to him, behind him the door opened quietly and Lomion poked his head around the opening. Estel frowned and shook his head, the black head with drew although the door remained open. Estel returned his attention to the blond Prince in his arms.
"Hate me, sent Naneth and Tel away from me. No want me, I have to go." Legolas' voice rose in panic as he looked down into his arms. "We have to go, can not stay, not safe."
"It is safe, Legolas, I promise you, all of you are safe." He could tell his words held no comfort for the scared child.
"No, no, we go. We go with you." The tears were now readily falling down the pale porcelain cheeks.
"Of course you can come with me, I told you that, but I think you need to talk to your Adar and brother's first." His words did not have the effect he had hope for.
Legolas stiffened in his arms and began to shake with panic. "No! No, please, no, he hurt me. Please no!" His voice rose and it was obvious he was beginning to hyperventilate due to his panic. Estel was at a loss as to how to proceed.
A quiet knock at the door had Legolas trying to climb out of his arms, his movements jerky. Estel tightened his arms, trying to keep the Elfling safe.
His own foster father entered the room, Estel felt his own great sense of relief as obviously so did Legolas as he fell still once more.
"Adar, something is wrong. He thinks he will be sent away once more, I can not get him to listen to me." Estel was once more trying to comfort the small form in his arms.
"We were beginning to worry as well. Let me see if I can help. Legolas, may I have a look at you, little One?" Elrond knelt beside Estel and his precious bundle.
Slowly, oh so slowly the small blond turned to face him, Elrond had to fight to hide his smile as he saw the bundles held in his arms. As he watched a small mouse head poked its way out of his tunic, nose twitching before disappearing once more.
Elrond frowned, though as he got his first good look at the Elfling since entering the chamber. Legolas was pale, more so than usual; under his bright blue eyes were dark, black rings that had not been there at the morning meal. He also took in the fine tremble that shook the Prince.
"How do you feel?" He gently placed his hand against a clammy forehead.
"Tired." It was cut off by a loud yawn.
"I see anything else?" Elrond brushed the stray, bright hair from the hot forehead.
"Head hurts." A thoughtful frown followed by a hic cupping cry. "Head and tummy too." He winced as he tried to swallow.
Elrond noticed, though and smiled gently before asking. "Legolas, may I look into your throat?"
A puzzled nod and Legolas opened his mouth, unprepared to let his friends go. Elrond did not mind, as long as he could do what he needed and they helped calm Legolas down, it was fine by him.
He looked deeply into the small throat. "I need to get a candle, little One; it is very dark in there." He was rewarded by a small stifled giggle as he moved to get the candle.
Taking a good long look he placed the candle safely to one side before feeling each side of Legolas' throat, feeling for the glands he knew to be there. He caught Estel's eye, his son was frowning, about to comment. Elrond shook his head in warning.
"I am sure that must hurt. Have you ever had a sore throat before?" He lifted the tiny chin so that he could look into the shiny eyes.
"Hurts." Was the agreement. "Never had before." He was trying to search for Growly's ear but he had no free hands to help. Elrond gently guided the ear to its place.
"Does your tummy hurt badly?" A nod as Legolas sucked on the soggy ear.
"May I feel it?" Another nod. He gently moved the full arms out of the way, Estel holding the Elfling still. The stomach was soft with no guarding. "Well, I believe that all is well there, you are just a little bit upset and confused, which is why your tummy hurts."
"What about his throat?" Estel could not hide his worry, an Elf was never ill; it was part of their genetic makeup.
"It looks a little raw, I have to admit." He turned back to the Prince who was watching him closely. "Have you eaten or had anything to drink that burnt your throat?"
Estel's eyes widened at that as he remembered that both Thranduil and Lomion had complained that something they had had to drink had burnt just before they went… mad. That was only way Estel could describe it. Could who ever was doing this have targeted Legolas and if so why had he not become as angry as his father and brother?
Legolas gave a small nod and shook Growly's ear out of his mouth. "Strawberry, King's strawberry burnt me."
"I think that this is our answer, it would appear that Legolas has been targeted. If it follows the same routine, Legolas should sleep in a while, the headache may be a symptom of the potion. Can I ask you to stay with him?" Elrond looked to his son as he asked this question, already knowing what he would hear.
"Of course, Ada, I will not leave him, do not worry." Legolas was once more snuggled in his arms. To both Elf and man's relief, he seemed a lot calmer than he had been.
"Good, I need to speak with Mithrandir." The unspoken 'and Thranduil' was not lost on Estel. "I will return and check you over again later, if I may, Legolas?" A tired nod was Elrond's answer and he gently placed a small kiss on the still clammy face before rising and leaving the room.
"Well, little One, shall we get up off this hard floor and sit on your bed? We can let your friends stretch their legs; I think they may like that." At the shy nod he struggled to his feet, with out the use of his hands, he did not want to put Legolas down.
They made it safely to the bed and Legolas with Estel's help, gently placed his friends down on the coverings. It was as if they had suddenly come back to life.
Each of the small rabbits seemed to give themselves little shakes before moving around, sniffing their vicinity before settling once more to playing and sleeping. Mousey would not leave Legolas' side and sat contentedly on his knee.
The soft toys apart from Growly were once more arranged around the bed. Legolas himself though was still very on edge. Fear and a growing sense of confusion could be felt from him. Estel was talking gently trying to calm him down once again.
"We cone with you, Estel?" Legolas asked his voice timid.
"You will always be welcome to come and live with me, little One. Never forget that. Besides I am not going anywhere at the moment, not until I know that you are really alright." Estel tried to hide his smile as Legolas yawned once more.
"Still we come with you?" It was obvious that Legolas would not be letting this go.
"We will talk again, nearer to the time I need to go back to Rivendell. Are you sleepy?" Legolas was now rubbing his eyes, in an endearing that tugged in a way at Estel's heart that surprised him.
"Yes." Estel did nothing more he opened his arms in invitation and Legolas was soon being gently hugged once more. It was not long before the little Elfling was limp, eyes closed in sleep.
Estel sat that way for some time not wanting to move just in case Legolas was only sleeping lightly. Finally he had to move, his muscles were beginning to cramp. He laid the tiny Prince against the pillows and began one at a time moving the pets to their homes.
Once they were once more safe, Estel made his way back to the bed. Legolas had not stirred. He removed his tiny shoes and changed him into his nightshirt before lifting him and pulling the light covering back. It took a moment to have Legolas tucked up in his bed. He looked so comfortable and sweet that Estel had to smile once more.
He sat in the old rocking chair beside the bed, reaching for Legolas' fairy tale book he began to re-read the tales he knew so well from his own childhood. He had loved having his foster father read to him, it had been the highlight of his day.
Reading and lost in his memories he sat contentedly beside his friend, keeping watch for any danger or nasty dreams that may just try and plague the Prince.
Meanwhile in the King's library an intense discussion was taking place. Elrond had explained his findings and they were now trying to decide what to do about it.
Thranduil sat slumped in his chair head in hands in a very unusual act. Elrond did not think he had seen his friend this way very often at all. He almost had a defeated air about him.
Thranduil him self felt defeated, once more he had failed to protect his family. How could he lead his people if he could not even keep his sons safe?
"It would appear that there is someone who appears to have a grudge against you all. They would also have to have the chance to get to the food and wine. It may be one of you household staff, Mellon-nin." Mithrandir was sat next to Lomion. His tone was thoughtful.
"One of my staff? But they have all been with me for millennia. Why chose know to act?" The incredulity in Thranduil's voice echoed in the large chamber. Lomion nodded his agreement.
"Possibly something recent has brought about this need? So much has been going on, could you really say truthfully, hand on heart that you know all of your staff? Every single thing about them?" Mithrandir's right eye brow was raised in perfect imitation of Elrond.
"It is true that I have not been paying that much to the needs of the Realm, so much ahs happened since…" Thranduil's voice trailed off. "The people have been most understanding, but this has to stop. Lomion, I need you to check into the backgrounds of all of our staff. Elardion, please check with Talaeri about any health history's that we may need to know of." Talaeri was Mirkwood's chief Healer.
"Nolvo and Alcarnor, check with your friends in the stables. They may just have heard from other sources of anything unusual." The twins nodded and left the room. Thranduil turned to Drowlin. "Drowlin, I would like you to go to the kitchen's and ask about discreetly if any one has felt unusual. Be discreet, if who ever it is has contacts in the kitchen's I do not want him being forewarned."
"Of course, Adar, you can leave it with me." He too bowed and left the room.
"What can we do to help?" Elladan asked, eager to help all of his friends, he knew his twin brother would also feel the same way.
"You have become well know amongst the guards?" Thranduil turned his dark serious eyes towards them.
"Yes, we have quite a few friends amongst them." It was a simple statement of fact. Every time they came to Mirkwood, they would accompany them on hunting trips.
"Good, see if they know anything, discreetly of course." Thranduil gave a small, thin smile.
"Of course." The two stood bowed and left the chamber leaving the two Elves and one Maia, to themselves.
"What about us, Thranduil, how can we help?" Elrond knew he could not just sit and wait, doing nothing.
"We need to make sure that Legolas is safe. You said he mentioned that it was the strawberry from me that burnt his throat?"
"Yes, he mentioned it specifically." Elrod's voice was thoughtful and calm as he recalled the conversation with Legolas.
"How then did the potion get into the strawberry and why did Legolas not sense it as he did in the milk?" They were all pertinent questions that Thranduil asked.
"I do not know how it got into the strawberry; I could hazard a guess, though." Elrond was gazing into the air.
"Then please do so." There was an order somewhere in the voice.
"Of course, Mellon-nin." Elrond took no offence; he would be acting the same way in Thranduil's position. "I believe that the potion would have been injected with the potion immediately before they were served. It could not have been any longer than that as the fruit would have shown signs of being tampered with."
"That makes a lot of sense." Mithrandir was fingering his unlit pipe as he made this comment. He knew better than to try and smoke in the presence of the two Eldar. But smoking just happened to help him think.
"I agree with you, Mithrandir, it does make a lot of sense." Thranduil sighed; it led on to another thought. "That would mean this was planned. They would have to have the potion and the means of injecting it into the fruit with him."
"Yes, he still may have them on him, though I rather doubt that. As to why Legolas was unable to detect the potion? He was very tired this morning, very sleepy. May be he was not all that awake? Also remember he had had all of the fruit from around the table with no problem, may be he was lulled by that fact?" Elrond was doing what he loved best. Thinking on his feet and coming up with logical explanations.
"Another theory to match that is this." Mithrandir was sucking on his empty cold pipe. "The fruit is also very fragrant. Mayhap it was targeted for that reason as well. The smell would and could have masked the potency of the potion?"
"That too is all too possible. So we need to have someone who is either making or dealing with the food. That lowers the amount of Elves we need to investigate and talk to." Thranduil had pulled a piece of parchment towards him and lifting a quill, loaded it with ink and began to write in a long elegant hand, the Elven words flowing across the page.
Within seconds he had a list of names. Standing and leaving the study for a few minutes. When he returned he glanced at each of his two old and trusted friends. "Beliond is going to bring them to us one at a time so that we can talk to them. Is that long enough for you to check on my little Leaf?" There was a sense of wistfulness in his voice and Elrond knew Thranduil would give everything to check on his youngest son, yet he was frightened to in case the child was still upset by the potion.
"Come, if he is asleep, as I fully expect, it will cause no harm for you to see him." At Elrond's words they made their way to Legolas' bedchamber.
"Why do you think Legolas did not give into feelings of rage and withheld internal feelings?" This had been puzzling the King.
"I have given that some thought as well. I do not think Legolas really knows what the word or feeling of anger is yet, he is just to loving to hate any one. He loathes hurting anyone's feelings. I think this potion plays with a persons feeling and emotions. Therefore Legolas would only have some feelings for it to work with." Elrond smiled as he spoke, this was so like Legolas, too kind and sweet.
"You mean that it played on his sense of insecurity and all that has happened sine Laurelin passed?" Just the mention of his wife's name was painful to Thranduil. How much he longed to see her once more, to hear her voice.
"Yes, I mean exactly that. Thanks to Drowlin's machinations, Legolas' greatest fear is being sent away from his family, away from you. This picked up on that and increased it. He still believes somewhere deep inside, I think, that you will send him away." Elrond raised his eyes in the sign of peace as Thranduil opened his mouth to speak angrily. "We know you will not do that, but it does not stop the fact that deep down somewhere in your son that fear still lingers."
They had reached Legolas' chamber. "What do I do?" Thranduil asked desperately.
"You love him and prove those fears wrong, you will win, believe me, and I know you all to well."
"He is lucky that he had a father and brothers willing to do that for him." Mithrandir's could not help but make that comment. The smile he got from Thranduil pleased him and it was a far more relaxed group that entered the room.
Legolas was curled up Growly's ear still firmly held in his mouth, fast asleep. Estel was still sat beside him, book still in hand. He put it down as they entered, smiling in welcome.
"How is he?" Thranduil made it to the side of Legolas' bed.
"He has slept since just after Adar left. He has not even moved." He smiled at the Elfling with affection.
"He looks so peaceful." Thranduil too smiled down at his sleeping son.
"If I may examine him?" Elrond's voice was wry, he had very little time. Thranduil smile sheepishly at his friend as he moved further up the bed, leaving room for Elrond to tend his son.
Elrond moved in to take Thranduil's vacated space. At first glance he was please to see that Legolas did not look anywhere near as pale as he had previously. The dark rings under his eyes had eased as well, but then he was sleeping.
He brushed some loose hair away from the tiny forehead before feeling it with the back of his hand. Yes, Legolas was definitely cooler, he was no longer clammy. His glands also felt as if they had settled once more, that had worried him earlier; the fact that the Prince's glands had been inflamed.
He did not check the child's throat; he did not want to waken him from his much needed sleep.
Satisfied he sat back, pleased that the potion did not seem to have harmed Legolas, that had been another concern; that the potion would be dangerous to a small child. He needed to speak to how ever had developed this potion, just in case.
"He seems better than he did earlier. His glands are down as is the temperature; I think he will just sleep this off now. He may have a headache when he wakens; we will deal with that then." Elrond could hear the relief in his own voice; it was echoed in smiles around the room.
They stayed another ten minutes, each taking turns to clasp the tiny hand. Then leaving Estel once more in charge, after he had returned to his own chamber and retrieved the book he was reading, they left the chamber once more.
Back in Thranduil's office, they made themselves comfortable as they waited. It was not long before there was a knock at the door and Beliond, Thranduil's butler entered.
"My Lord, this is Methalian, she serves at your table." The young Elleth in question bowed, looking nervous.
"Thank you, Beliond, you may go. Come nearer child." For she was nothing more than that. She did so and the interview was started.
Three hours and twenty staff later, they took a short break. During this break, Thranduil spoke to his sons and friends. They had learnt nothing from their assignments how ever this was he had not spoken to any of his plans.
They began the last interview a short time later. It was an elder Elf, one Thranduil had known for years. "Mae Govannen, Darenholt."
"My Liege, you wanted to speak to me?" There was something in that voice. Something disturbing and Mithrandir found him self watching the Elf closely. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Elrond stiffen.
"Yes, some one fed a potion to Prince Legolas in his strawberry; we are trying to find the culprit. I have been speaking to all staff that come into contact with the food. Have you seen anything suspicious?" Thranduil had relaxed back into his chair watching Darenholt closely.
"No, I have not seen anything. As far as I am aware no one else has tampered with the food." Darenholt gave a small, smug smile.
"I see, have you… wait a minute, and what do you mean as far as you know no one else has tampered with the food?" Thranduil was on his feet.
"Just what I meant by that, Thranduil." The voice was now cold and calculating. "Did you really expect me to leave my spawn in your filthy hands?"
"Your spawn? What do you mean?" All three others in the room had no idea what he was talking about.
"Legolas, did you really think I would leave him to ruin my life? No my son will die, trust me."
Silence fell, a stunned silence.
To be continued
Thank you to all our reviewers, you mean a lot to us. Please continue to let us know what you think?
Replies to reviews:
DarkAngel: Suspense is not good for the heart, so here you go more for you!!
AnathTheGODDESS: Yep, a tricky little devil of an impostor. I, Shell, would love to know who you think the person is. Who do you not like? Me evil? Nah, that is all Mei, not me!!! ;P A mystery bluff, too? Me too. All your point's a pertinent and right. I will say no more as I don't want to ruin your next few chapters. I am stunned you are clueless, but then I haven't given a lot of clues yet. Let me say about the milk, if you had something you disliked and tried to get out of drinking numerous times, would you be believed if you tried once more? That was what we were trying to get across. Sorry if it didn't work. (I am not evil either. It is just Shell brings it our of me. Any way I am the fluff expert. No one who writes fluff can be evil)
LadyJackIsBack: Here it is for you with a few sort of answers.
Bradleigh: Nosey wizard to go! More of him soon too. Give the poor King a break he has just lost his wife, almost lost his youngest numerous times and been dosed with a nasty potion. I would want to do any work either!! Estel? Why would we hurt Estel??!! (But we could)
Chanchi76: Yep, we will be continuing, we also have the next one planned, too. (Excuse me who has the next one planned.)
Lirenel: Not poisoned, no. Here is more for you.
Triptych: Read on for more clues. Mei is already well into the next chapter for you…
Ceyxa: Bint and Lint? LOL!! We will certainly keep that in mind! Leafie go to Rivendell? Sorry that had not even been considered. Sorry.
Dark Borg Drone: We are glad you like it, read on and find out….
Banana nut muffin: Sorry to keep you hanging, we hope it did not hurt too much? Glad you like it though. It just seem natural for Leafie to have all these animal friends. The next question may well have been answered in this chapter.
MoroTheWolfGod: Here! More! Now! Enjoy!!!
Stephanie: We hope you had a nice vacation, did you go somewhere nice?
Well, dear friends, that is all for the moment, more tomorrow we hope (digs at Mei as Shell wants to fins out what is going to happen as well as you all!).
Take care and enjoy the beautiful sun!
Love,
Meisalliam, Shell, Leafie and all the gang!