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Chapter 9: Finished, Yet Just Beginning
"His fever is rising." Elrond said sadly as he tended to Legolas.
Anguish rippled through Elrohir. Legolas had to hang in there. He had to be alright. He was his best friend other than his brothers, and he had known him longer than Estel. He had always been like family to him, though, and he new the prince would probably do anything for his friends. They shared so many memories together. Being an elf, Elrohir wasn't used to death that often, especially not of close friends. It would be like losing family if Legolas...he couldn't bear to think of it.
"Is there anything I can do, Ada?" The younger twin asked his father.
"No," Elrond said forlornly. "The poison should be out of his blood system by now so all we can do is wait for his temperature to drop and see if he can fight it. The poison has severely damaged his immune system and left him very weak."
Elrohir nodded desolately as he settled in a chair to wait.
Anguish rippled through Elrohir. Legolas had to hang in there. He had to be alright. He was his best friend other than his brothers, and he had known him longer than Estel. He had always been like family to him, though, and he new the prince would probably do anything for his friends. They shared so many memories together. Being an elf, Elrohir wasn't used to death that often, especially not of close friends. It would be like losing family if Legolas...he couldn't bear to think of it.
"Is there anything I can do, Ada?" The younger twin asked his father.
"No," Elrond said forlornly. "The poison should be out of his blood system by now so all we can do is wait for his temperature to drop and see if he can fight it. The poison has severely damaged his immune system and left him very weak."
Elrohir nodded desolately as he settled in a chair to wait.
As Elrohir fought to stay awake, his father's voice alerted him and he sat upright.
"I think he'll be alright, Elrohir. He should wake up within the next few days." The Rivendell lord glanced at his son. "Get some sleep, ion nin."
Elrohir shook his head groggily. "Nay, Ada. I am going to stay up until I am sure he's alright."
Elrond smiled wryly. "I wonder wear you got you stubbornness from?" he asked innocently.
Elrohir grinned back as he squirmed in the chair while trying to find a spot actually comfortable. "Yes, Ada," he said sarcastically. "I wonder."
Elrond smiled lovingly as he set his hand on his son's shoulder. "Please, get some rest," he said before leaving the room.
"I think he'll be alright, Elrohir. He should wake up within the next few days." The Rivendell lord glanced at his son. "Get some sleep, ion nin."
Elrohir shook his head groggily. "Nay, Ada. I am going to stay up until I am sure he's alright."
Elrond smiled wryly. "I wonder wear you got you stubbornness from?" he asked innocently.
Elrohir grinned back as he squirmed in the chair while trying to find a spot actually comfortable. "Yes, Ada," he said sarcastically. "I wonder."
Elrond smiled lovingly as he set his hand on his son's shoulder. "Please, get some rest," he said before leaving the room.
Legolas slowly began aware of his surroundings. He was in a bed, from what he felt of smooth sheets and a soft mattress. He almost didn't want to open his eyes, he was so comfortable. Then he realized why he was so comfortable. It was because he hadn't been in a bed for at least a week from what he remembered of previous events.
'Estel!'
He quickly opened his eyes in terror as they darted across the room, slowly remembering his short meaning with Estel, relaxing as he realized the boy was alright.
He looked around the room as he subconsciously noticed that his whole arm was in a cast, his ankle was wrapped, and his back felt strangely cool, numb, and tingly.
While he scanned the room he suddenly saw Elrohir curled in an armchair in the corner of the room. The younger twin's head was bowed and his raven hair draped in front of his face, but Legolas could still see that his eyes were open, and by their glazed, unseeing stare, that he was sound asleep.
Legolas silently shifted in his bed to free the numbness from his limbs while trying not to wake his friend but his blankets quietly rustled and Elrohir's head quickly shot up.
The twin blinked back sleep and delirium. Then he saw Legolas sitting upright and rushed forward, slightly off balance from his sudden jolt from his much need sleep.
"Legolas!" he greeted ecstatically and rushed forward.
Legolas smiled warmly. "What happened?" he asked.
Elrohir bit his lip nervously. He hoped Legolas hadn't suffered from memory loss. "What is the last thing you remember?"
Legolas paused for a moment. "I was talking to Estel, and then I stood up and felt dizzy before blacking out."
"Good," Elrohir sighed.
Legolas arched a questioning eyebrow with a wry smile. "Good? That I blacked out?"
Elrohir laughed softly. "I mean, good that you remember everything. I was worried for a moment that you hadn't."
Legolas pondered for a moment. "How bad was the poison? How long was I out?"
Elrohir settled on the edge of the bed as he tried to completely clear his mind of weariness but to no avail, for he hadn't slept hardly in over a week. For a moment he forgot even what he was about to say and thought he was going to fall back asleep.
"It was a very serious poison but you are free from it now. You were out for about a week." He finally answered, with a yawn he couldn't contain.
Legolas realized that Elrohir was sleeping even though it was the middle of the day and a thought occurred to him.
"Did you stay awake for me?" Legolas asked incredulously.
Elrohir smiled mischievously and nodded. "I fell asleep earlier today, though I didn't want to until you awoke."
"Elrohir!" Legolas exclaimed accusingly. "You didn't have to do that! I can't believe I woke you up!"
"You know me, Legolas. Of course I'll stay up for over a week for my friends and family, even if it means passing out from sleep deprivation eventually," Elrohir explained innocently.
Legolas just smiled and shook his head disapprovingly but good-natured.
"How's Estel?" he asked when he remembered the boy.
"Oh, Estel's fine, other than the fact you scared him to death by collapsing in front of him." Elrohir said casually.
"Oh, no!" Legolas exclaimed. "I can't believe I did that to him!"
Elrohir laughed lightly. "Don't worry, he's alright. You can see him now if you want."
Estel drummed his fingers absently as his father slowly bent his legs and applied elvish herbs to help speed the healing. It had been two months since the orc incident and the human boy sorely wanted to leave the confinement of his bed.
For a while Legolas, too, had been forced to stay in bed, but now had the wonderful privilege of walking around freely. He came to Estel frequently and while the child enjoyed his company he was slowly being annoyed by it.
By anyone coming into his room.
Bringing his food.
Coddling him.
Frankly it was just making Estel feel worse.
They made him feel like a cripple.
Of course they weren't trying to, and Estel knew they weren't, but nevertheless it made him feel…weak. He was used to not being able to do a lot of thing elves could but this was just too much.
He hated it.
Even worse, Elrond told him it would be another week before he could get out of bed and perhaps up to a month until he'd be allowed to walk and run outside by himself when ever he felt like it.
Estel was furious, even though everyone encouraged him it was alright and he just needed patience.
'I shouldn't need patience to walk! It's not fair!'
Elrond looked up at him. "Are you alright?" he questioned, jerking Estel of out his thoughts.
"Yes, Ada. Just bored…as always." His voice was tinged not only with sadness but a touch of anger.
"Well, I have good news," Elrond began, smiling slightly to himself.
Estel looked up eagerly. "What?"
Elrond grinned slyly. "How would you feel going outside for a while?"
Estel's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"I will have to carry you, but I would like to show you something that should clear any anger about further wait."
Brimming with anticipation, Estel allowed himself to be carried outside. Once they were in the fresh air, however, they did not go to the gardens or the stream as Estel had expected.
Instead, they headed into the stables.
Estel squirmed excitedly in his father's arms.
Elrond beamed at his child as he walked into a stall and Estel gasped in astonishment.
Inside the Rivendell stall was a horse he had never seen before but was altogether gorgeous. It was tall and slender, radiating with inner elegance the way only elf-horses did. Its smooth auburn coat gleamed and its glistening mane and tail were an unusual tan and rust color. It nickered softly and tossed its head in greeting.
Estel stared in awe.
"Do you like it?" Elrond asked as his son lovingly stroked its nose.
"I love it, Ada!" he exclaimed softly.
"Does that mean you want to keep it?"
Estel turned to his father. "You mean it? I can really keep him?"
Elrond smiled. "Yes, you may keep 'her'," he corrected. "And you may ride her while your legs finish healing."
"Thank you so much!" Estel whispered as he hugged his father "Thank you so much. I love you, Ada."
And for the following weeks he did nothing but ride Hyalma.
For a while Legolas, too, had been forced to stay in bed, but now had the wonderful privilege of walking around freely. He came to Estel frequently and while the child enjoyed his company he was slowly being annoyed by it.
By anyone coming into his room.
Bringing his food.
Coddling him.
Frankly it was just making Estel feel worse.
They made him feel like a cripple.
Of course they weren't trying to, and Estel knew they weren't, but nevertheless it made him feel…weak. He was used to not being able to do a lot of thing elves could but this was just too much.
He hated it.
Even worse, Elrond told him it would be another week before he could get out of bed and perhaps up to a month until he'd be allowed to walk and run outside by himself when ever he felt like it.
Estel was furious, even though everyone encouraged him it was alright and he just needed patience.
'I shouldn't need patience to walk! It's not fair!'
Elrond looked up at him. "Are you alright?" he questioned, jerking Estel of out his thoughts.
"Yes, Ada. Just bored…as always." His voice was tinged not only with sadness but a touch of anger.
"Well, I have good news," Elrond began, smiling slightly to himself.
Estel looked up eagerly. "What?"
Elrond grinned slyly. "How would you feel going outside for a while?"
Estel's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"I will have to carry you, but I would like to show you something that should clear any anger about further wait."
Brimming with anticipation, Estel allowed himself to be carried outside. Once they were in the fresh air, however, they did not go to the gardens or the stream as Estel had expected.
Instead, they headed into the stables.
Estel squirmed excitedly in his father's arms.
Elrond beamed at his child as he walked into a stall and Estel gasped in astonishment.
Inside the Rivendell stall was a horse he had never seen before but was altogether gorgeous. It was tall and slender, radiating with inner elegance the way only elf-horses did. Its smooth auburn coat gleamed and its glistening mane and tail were an unusual tan and rust color. It nickered softly and tossed its head in greeting.
Estel stared in awe.
"Do you like it?" Elrond asked as his son lovingly stroked its nose.
"I love it, Ada!" he exclaimed softly.
"Does that mean you want to keep it?"
Estel turned to his father. "You mean it? I can really keep him?"
Elrond smiled. "Yes, you may keep 'her'," he corrected. "And you may ride her while your legs finish healing."
"Thank you so much!" Estel whispered as he hugged his father "Thank you so much. I love you, Ada."
And for the following weeks he did nothing but ride Hyalma.
Legolas, Estel, and the twins were settled on a couch in front of the fireplace on an unusually cold late October night when the two large oak doors to the outdoors were swiftly opened, causing a bitter wind to sweep into the room. Estel frowned disapprovingly as he pulled his quilt closer around him.
A weather-beaten elf walked in, relieved to find the immediate welcoming of a fire. Legolas stared for a moment before recalling that this elf was a messenger and friend of his from Mirkwood.
"Ai, Kaemin. Man tukin ly si?" He greeted, knowing that Kaemin did not know common tongue. What brings you here?
"Vedui', Cundu Legolas." Kaemin replied courtly. "Ni tul no namard liiva lya adar" Greetings Prince Legolas, I come on behalf of your father.
Legolas nodded briefly to his trio of friends before he and the messenger went into another room.
Estel looked at his brothers warily after he did not return after a few minutes.
"Tis nothing, Estel." Elrohir reassured him. "Just a messenger from Legolas' home."
The boy nodded wearily and yawned due to the late time of night as he snuggled closer to his brothers. After over a half an hour Legolas hadn't returned and Estel fell asleep without even realizing it.
It was morning when Estel awoke and found himself still on the couch but wrapped in a thick wool blanket and a soft pillow under his head. He sat up, stretching and looking around blearily. Just as he was sitting up Elrohir walked into the room. The youngest twin glanced over at where his brother had been sleeping and smiled when he saw him awake.
"Good morning, Estel!" he greeted.
Estel stood wearily. "You let me fall asleep out here?" he mumbled, slightly bitter.
"Yes, you were so sound asleep, 'Dan and I couldn't bring ourselves to move you for fear of waking you up."
Estel nodded tiredly with a small smile as he picked up the blanket he had cast to the ground standing up. "Where's Legolas?" he questioned.
"Oh," Elrohir said a little cautiously. "Well, he's in his room but…well, he has something to tell you."
Exhaustion began to leave Estel, slowly replaced by worry. "What?"
Elrohir bit his lip apprehensively. The prince was going to tell Estel the news but the child probably wouldn't wait until Legolas was out of bed and he wasn't sure when that would be. "Well, Estel, he's leaving this afternoon. His father has business for him to attend to."
"He's leaving?" Estel asked in horror.
Just then Legolas walked down the marble stairs into the room the brothers were conversing. He was prepared to tell Estel the information he was not aware had already been told.
"Good Morn-"
Estel interrupted accusingly. "You are leaving?"
Legolas' jaw dropped and he gulped nervously. "Yes, Estel, my Ada needs me home."
"But you've barely been here!"
"I'll come back as soon as I can."
Estel crossed his arms angrily as he pouted. It wasn't fair. Legolas had only been there around three months and now who knew when he'd return. This was the first time he had met Legolas so that meant the prince had not visited in over five years the last time. What if it lasted that long again?
'Maybe five years is alright for elves, but Valar, that's too long for me!'
An idea formed slowly in his head. "Legolas?" he asked innocently
"Yes?"
"Can I come with you?" Estel asked eagerly, his irresistibly wide eyes shining with plea.
Legolas gaped for a moment. "Well, I don't know, I mean you are just recuperating…Are you sure you want to go on another trip.I mean, after what happened last time?" He had never truly gotten over what had happened to the child in captivity of the orcs and still held himself accountable.
"I don't mind, Legolas! Please can I come?" Estel begged.
Legolas looked Estel before glancing Elrohir.
Elrohir knew that he and his brother had to stay in Rivendell for an upcoming council of his father's but there was no mandatory need for Estel to attend it. He also, knew, however, that however much Estel couldn't wait another possible decade for the prince to return that Legolas was afraid something would happen again.
The younger twin shrugged with a smile. "If it's alright with you, Legolas, I don't see why not."
Legolas smiled half-heartedly at Estel.
"Alright, Estel,"
"Yes!" Estel cried, throwing his arms around Legolas. "Thank you so much!"
Please let this journey go unheeded, Legolas prayed.
"Good morning, Estel!" he greeted.
Estel stood wearily. "You let me fall asleep out here?" he mumbled, slightly bitter.
"Yes, you were so sound asleep, 'Dan and I couldn't bring ourselves to move you for fear of waking you up."
Estel nodded tiredly with a small smile as he picked up the blanket he had cast to the ground standing up. "Where's Legolas?" he questioned.
"Oh," Elrohir said a little cautiously. "Well, he's in his room but…well, he has something to tell you."
Exhaustion began to leave Estel, slowly replaced by worry. "What?"
Elrohir bit his lip apprehensively. The prince was going to tell Estel the news but the child probably wouldn't wait until Legolas was out of bed and he wasn't sure when that would be. "Well, Estel, he's leaving this afternoon. His father has business for him to attend to."
"He's leaving?" Estel asked in horror.
Just then Legolas walked down the marble stairs into the room the brothers were conversing. He was prepared to tell Estel the information he was not aware had already been told.
"Good Morn-"
Estel interrupted accusingly. "You are leaving?"
Legolas' jaw dropped and he gulped nervously. "Yes, Estel, my Ada needs me home."
"But you've barely been here!"
"I'll come back as soon as I can."
Estel crossed his arms angrily as he pouted. It wasn't fair. Legolas had only been there around three months and now who knew when he'd return. This was the first time he had met Legolas so that meant the prince had not visited in over five years the last time. What if it lasted that long again?
'Maybe five years is alright for elves, but Valar, that's too long for me!'
An idea formed slowly in his head. "Legolas?" he asked innocently
"Yes?"
"Can I come with you?" Estel asked eagerly, his irresistibly wide eyes shining with plea.
Legolas gaped for a moment. "Well, I don't know, I mean you are just recuperating…Are you sure you want to go on another trip.I mean, after what happened last time?" He had never truly gotten over what had happened to the child in captivity of the orcs and still held himself accountable.
"I don't mind, Legolas! Please can I come?" Estel begged.
Legolas looked Estel before glancing Elrohir.
Elrohir knew that he and his brother had to stay in Rivendell for an upcoming council of his father's but there was no mandatory need for Estel to attend it. He also, knew, however, that however much Estel couldn't wait another possible decade for the prince to return that Legolas was afraid something would happen again.
The younger twin shrugged with a smile. "If it's alright with you, Legolas, I don't see why not."
Legolas smiled half-heartedly at Estel.
"Alright, Estel,"
"Yes!" Estel cried, throwing his arms around Legolas. "Thank you so much!"
Please let this journey go unheeded, Legolas prayed.
Estel gave his brothers a large hug before mounting Hyalma who was standing next to Legolas and his steed.
"Quelinen!" Estel called as he rode off. Goodbye
"Namarie!" The twins called in unison as they watched the pair disappear into the horizon.
"Yeera varna," Elladan whispered softly. Be safe
"Quelinen!" Estel called as he rode off. Goodbye
"Namarie!" The twins called in unison as they watched the pair disappear into the horizon.
"Yeera varna," Elladan whispered softly. Be safe
Estel and Legolas rode for days and soon became close to Mirkwood. They had taken turns sleeping on their horses as they continued on, but soon it was beginning to be uncomfortable. Legolas wanted to sleep in the trees but noticed Estel made no attempt to suggest doing such a thing.
"Estel, we are near home, let's stop and sleep?"
"Alright," Estel agreed.
They dismounted their horses and tied the reins to a low branch. Estel unrolled his bedroll and began laying it on the ground.
"Do you not wish to sleep in the trees?" Legolas inquired, as he was already beginning to climb one.
Estel shook his head slowly. "I'll just sleep here. You can in the trees, though, if you want,"
"Haven't you ever slept in a tree?" Legolas questioned.
"Yes, but." Estel murmured something indiscernible under his breath.
"What?" The prince persisted.
"I'll just sleep on the ground, alright?" Estel said rather coolly, avoiding the subject as he knelt down on his blanket.
"No, not alright, Estel. Please tell me." Legolas walked beside the boy.
"'Dan and 'Ro hold me in the tree, 'cause I'm afraid of falling while I sleep so I'll just sleep on the ground, alright?" Estel said quickly and looked down, somewhat ashamed-looking. He felt foolish needing to be held in the tree while he slept and had no intention of Legolas doing what his brothers did.
Legolas smiled gently and sat down next to him. "And is there something wrong with me doing such. I will not let you fall I swear. I cannot just let you sleep in the dirt."
Estel began to protest but found it useless. He finally climbed the tree after Legolas to where the trunk branched off into three limbs, a perfect seat in the center. Legolas sat comfortably down and Estel settled next to him.
"Legolas?" Estel began suddenly, breaking the silence. He just really wanted talk about anything, as he felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"Yes?"
"Um, what kinds of creatures are there in Mirkwood?"
Legolas thought apprehensively. He did not want to worry him but told him the truth. "Besides average woodland-dwellers we also have spiders."
Estel laughed disapprovingly. "Really, Legolas! There are spiders everywhere!"
Legolas smiled slightly. "Yes, but are they taller than you?"
Estel's eyes widened. "Giant spiders?"
"Yes, but they will not bother us in this area." Legolas explained quickly, hoping he had not frightened the kid. Estel, however looked rather interested in the subject.
The boy yawned, slowly succumbing to sleep despite the new information on the spiders that dwelt in the forest.
"You won't let me fall?" he asked as his eyes closed.
"I promise. You won't fall," Legolas reassured, gently wrapping his arms around Estel as the boy fell asleep.
"Estel, we are near home, let's stop and sleep?"
"Alright," Estel agreed.
They dismounted their horses and tied the reins to a low branch. Estel unrolled his bedroll and began laying it on the ground.
"Do you not wish to sleep in the trees?" Legolas inquired, as he was already beginning to climb one.
Estel shook his head slowly. "I'll just sleep here. You can in the trees, though, if you want,"
"Haven't you ever slept in a tree?" Legolas questioned.
"Yes, but." Estel murmured something indiscernible under his breath.
"What?" The prince persisted.
"I'll just sleep on the ground, alright?" Estel said rather coolly, avoiding the subject as he knelt down on his blanket.
"No, not alright, Estel. Please tell me." Legolas walked beside the boy.
"'Dan and 'Ro hold me in the tree, 'cause I'm afraid of falling while I sleep so I'll just sleep on the ground, alright?" Estel said quickly and looked down, somewhat ashamed-looking. He felt foolish needing to be held in the tree while he slept and had no intention of Legolas doing what his brothers did.
Legolas smiled gently and sat down next to him. "And is there something wrong with me doing such. I will not let you fall I swear. I cannot just let you sleep in the dirt."
Estel began to protest but found it useless. He finally climbed the tree after Legolas to where the trunk branched off into three limbs, a perfect seat in the center. Legolas sat comfortably down and Estel settled next to him.
"Legolas?" Estel began suddenly, breaking the silence. He just really wanted talk about anything, as he felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"Yes?"
"Um, what kinds of creatures are there in Mirkwood?"
Legolas thought apprehensively. He did not want to worry him but told him the truth. "Besides average woodland-dwellers we also have spiders."
Estel laughed disapprovingly. "Really, Legolas! There are spiders everywhere!"
Legolas smiled slightly. "Yes, but are they taller than you?"
Estel's eyes widened. "Giant spiders?"
"Yes, but they will not bother us in this area." Legolas explained quickly, hoping he had not frightened the kid. Estel, however looked rather interested in the subject.
The boy yawned, slowly succumbing to sleep despite the new information on the spiders that dwelt in the forest.
"You won't let me fall?" he asked as his eyes closed.
"I promise. You won't fall," Legolas reassured, gently wrapping his arms around Estel as the boy fell asleep.
Estel turned sluggishly but his eyes flew open as he felt the ground underneath him disappear. He briefly remembered that he had been in a tree the previous night but to his horror now found an absence of the branch.
He let out a strangled cry as plummeted to the ground.
T----B---C----!