My Immortal
Quiet
Legolas was among those who found the wife of Lord Elrond after her ill-fated attack on the way home from Lothlórien. His investigation of the matter lands him into trouble, not to mention painful, haunting memories. (Heavy on Legolas and Elrond plots, non-slash)
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The House of Elrond was quiet. Anyone with discernment could tell something was amiss, though no one spoke openly of it. The first time he had ever been to Rivendell he head been greeted by the voices of Noldor, singing joyful songs of welcome to he and the twins as they entered the gates. There had been an undercurrent of genuine peace permeating the atmosphere that had moved him to joy. The atmosphere still moved him, but now to sorrow instead of delight. The woods within the Valley were quiet and each face bore a somber, grave expression. The details had not been told to all, but those that had seen Celebrían's arrival knew she had been seriously wounded. They would keep a respectful distance until this tragedy was resolved.
Standing at the window in his quarters, Legolas looked out at the trees, feeling the thriving curiosity of nature abuzz. Nothing was unaffected by this. Nothing was safe from the grief and uncertainty.
He wondered how Lady Celebrían was faring now that she had been taken from the depths of darkness and brought back to those that loved her. It had only been a day, but he had expected something by now, some form of news. Instead none of the Halfelven family ventured far from their private apartments and Legolas did not feel it was his place to seek out his friends. Especially with the way Elladan acted towards him. Elrohir assured him that it was not personal, that his brother would remember himself soon, but the Mirkwood Elf was not so sure. He was patient through this, would be to the end, but it did hurt him.
Frowning, Legolas rubbed at his chest, staying away from his tender shoulder, but uncomfortable with pain. It was a small price to leave Elrond in peace, however. He did not wish to take the chance he would be disturbed for an herb or a question, so Legolas toughed it out and remained right where he was for the time being.
Eventually the healing came to him. A knock at the door brought the Prince of Mirkwood from his gloomy thoughts. Pulling away from the view outside, Legolas ventured to the door and opened it. The vision outside was a welcome surprise, though he feared where their conversations may lead. He was curious, but anxious that the truth may be more bothersome than he felt he could bear after so much torment. Elrohir cocked his head and wore a wan smile for his benefit, holding up a bowl with a rag in it. "I bring you the fruits of my father's calendula flowers. They weep for your pain."
Shaking his head, Legolas moved aside and muttered, "I am sure they do." He shut the door as the younger twin entered the room, walking towards a couch across the way.
Elrohir sank down and motioned him over with a stern expression that reminded the young prince of the Lord of Rivendell. "Ada says this should still be warm when I put it on you. He didn't say why, probably wanted me to avoid stopping along the way, but I suppose we should not take the chance in case his advise is, in fact, valid."
Giving his friend a sigh, he did as he had been told and sat down, opening his shirt. Peeling back the bandages proved to be difficult with only one hand available and more than that, painful as the cloth pulled away from dried blood. The skin beneath his stitches was an angry red that he wholly felt. Taking the wet compress from his friend, he put it to his shoulder and inhaled sharply. "Did your father send anything else?" he asked hopefully.
The raven-headed Noldor grinned softly and nodded. "A few questions. How are you feeling otherwise? He's concerned about your head. Any head aches?"
"None," Legolas replied simply, peeking beneath the dripping cloth.
Elrohir studied him with an easy expression. "I know you already suffer from damage to your faculties, so I know further damage would not be noticed, but Ada thinks honesty would be prudent. You know he will ask you later, anyway."
"My faculties are safe," the prince replied dryly, leaning back on the couch. "How is your mother?" He asked it suddenly, knowing if he did not get it out now he would balk forever. Legolas pushed himself to meet his friend's eyes and face the inevitable pain he would see.
Those clear gray eyes had been prepared, but even still bore the evidence of worry. "She lives. We know that much at least. Ada would not discuss it beyond that." He lowered his voice sadly and explained, "Arwen was present. He did not want her to imagine everything that had been done to our mother and my brother and I agree, so we have told her nothing of what we saw. Therefore I ask that should she come to you, you would also remain silent. Most especially concerning the darker facts of her attack." It was a schooled request, practiced so that when the time came he could speak it and not break down. Legolas could recognize that and his sorrow increased.
Looking at the floor, the archer tried to blot all that he had seen from his thoughts, but it was not easy. "How is your father?" he asked, afraid to pursue the matter of Celebrían any further.
Elrohir's face paled slightly and his eyes grew distant. "I have never seen him so quiet. He is a natural brooder, any who knows him can see that, but there is something more. He is afraid, though he will not admit it. His profuse assurances that Nana will recover fully seem to lose the intended effect when you look into his eyes."
Giving his friend a comforting look, Legolas shook his head and said, "All will be well, Elrohir. This is only her first full day home. Everyone is still in shock. It will take time, but when she is laughing again you will forget the pain of these evil days."
The sheer longing in the peredhel's eyes forced the blond archer to turn his gaze away. "I hope you are right, mellon nín."
Peredhel – Half-Elf. Mellon nín = my friend.
"I am," Legolas replied, hoping as well that he was. Peering again beneath the cloth, not really sure when he was supposed to remove it, he then decided to rid himself of his final concern. "And Elladan?"
Elrohir gave him a sidelong look of irritation. "He is as nervous as a rabbit and as vicious as a bear. Always has he been my protector, but now he needs someone to protect him. The trouble is I know not how. My own heart grieves and his fury makes it all the worse, but what can I say to calm him? I cannot calm myself."
Venturing to take the compress off, then reapplying it when Elrohir shook his head, Legolas sighed and searched himself for something to say that could solve this, but came up blank. In the end he could only repeat what he had said from the beginning. "I am sorry. What can I do?"
"Bear with him," the twin answered simply. "He needs you now even if he does not know it. He feels he must be strong and resents it at times, which causes him to lash out. Forgive him."
Legolas looked his friend over with a mild expression. "Wisdom from your lips?"
Elrohir matched his countenance. "A precursor to doom, perhaps."
The Mirkwood Prince shook his head. "Do not even jest that way. You will get through this. Your family will get through this."
"Aye, we shall," his friend stated as if it were a decision. He leaned forward then and held his hand out for the rag. Grateful, Legolas handed it over and moved his shoulder slightly, testing it out. He groaned at the sting, but noticed it had lessened. Elrohir smiled. "Come. Ada commands you should eat."
"Commands?" Legolas repeated with an amused glint in his eyes.
Elrohir nodded most seriously. "Commands. That and there is the matter of the headaches you profess you do not have."
Raising his eyebrow, the Mirkwood archer drew his head up proudly. "Do you insinuate that I would lie?"
His friend's smile widened a little. He remained silent a moment as if considering, then raised his hand up and in a quick action, tapped the wood-Elf's head a little less than gently. Legolas groaned and rubbed his forehead with a glare as Elrohir nodded. "Not lie, no. Underestimate, yes. The sooner you get it seen to the better off you will be. Come."
"It is only minor," he retorted. Exiting the room with Elrohir, Legolas grumbled beneath his breath, but followed, eager for a meal and perhaps an herb for his head as well.
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Author: Ruse
Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings isn't mine and nor is Elrond, unfortunately, nor Legolas or Aragorn. No infringement intended.
A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! Sorry for the long wait, my internet was out of order. Doh!