An: I'm back again. And I wan wondering, if any of knew if there was a fanfiction with a young boy called Geraint in (or a film or a book). I was wondering 'cos I have used it in an upcoming fic, but I swear I've heard it somewhere before (at least I think so…), so if anyone can tell me where I've possibly heard it, it'd be helpful
Anyway, responses
Flames if the moon: Heh, yep mentions of the hobbit too, but LOTR, I've quoted that so much in the last chapter. And I love self inflicted horrors.
Caunoiech: Yay more Dr Pepper
Slina: Will Legolas be ok? Well, really I can't promise you that. But I can promise you he will live through this
Trinilee Greenleaf: I don't remember the first story I ever reviewed. I think it was one of Adromir's. And Thranduil does love Legolas very much, and Legolas is getting enough love, just not enough attention. Thranduil's very busy at the moment. One of the problems with being King. Especially King in a realm where evil roams free.
Elf of the 3rd age: Well, I will make Legolas pretty lethally wounded, unfortunately, no other members of the fellowship, mainly because a good deal of them haven't been born yet, and Gandalf's buggered off some where as usual
Anyway, without further ado, onto chapter 3.
Chapter 3:-In the hut of the Raft-elves
"ADA!" the scream of the young elven girl cut through the air, she stood at the edge of the water, staring at the object that lay there.
The Father of the child, at hearing her scream raced towards her "Alasse! What is it" he called in terror for his child, but as he reached her side, his face widened in horror, and he dropped to his knees, turning the face down body over "Alasse go get Tauro" the elf girl nodded and ran back to the house . The older elf, hurriedly checked for a pulse, and breathed in relief when he found one and discovered that the elf, though barely, still breathed, he lifted the young elf into his arms as his son ran up to him.
"Adar, what…Eru" he breathed, earning a sharp glare from his Father. "Tauro, tell your Mother I am bringing an injured elf back. Hurry!" Tauro nodded and sprinted back to his home.
The father of the two elflings, continued to make his way back to their small home, looking down at the young elf in his arms. He estimated that the elf was not much older than Tauro and came from the area near Thranduil's halls. Having not been up to the halls for many years, he was not to know that the injured elf he carried was indeed Thranduil's only son.
As he entered his house he saw his wife emerge from a back room, their own bedroom. "Bring him in here Tauron", she called disappearing into the room again. When he laid the young elf on the bed she began to look over his body for wounds "Valar" she breathed
"Is he alright?" Tauron asked softly
"No. He's suffered a broken leg, and a broken arm. Many of his ribs have broken, and this gash in his leg. Not to mention some severe bruising. Poor child" she brushed his hair back from his face "Someone must be frantic with worry about him. Now out, out!" she shooed her husband "I need to treat him"
Legolas groaned in pain "A…Adar…" he managed to stammer
A female hand reached down to stroke his brow soothingly
"Ilyanna?" the elf muttered the name of Mirkwood's healer as his eyes opened to see an unfamiliar face loom up before him. He cried out in fear. Glancing around the unfamiliar room
"It's ok. We're only trying to help you" the female voice soothed "I am called Losse. My husband found you by the riverside"
Legolas blinked and raised his good arm to his head "Adar!" he suddenly cried, as the last image of his Father filled his mind The King had wanted to dive into the river to save him. Legolas bit his lip "he wanted to…I need to get back to him" he struggled to rise but Losse pushed him back
"No. You are not strong enough to leave your bed, let alone traipse through Mirkwood"
Hopeless tears filled Legolas' eyes, "I need to let him know…" he whispered before fading into unconsciousness again.
When Legolas next woke the female elf was gone, in her place was a dark haired male. "You are awake" he stated Legolas simply nodded "You hungry?" Legolas nodded again "here" he said to the elf as he handed Legolas a mug of steaming soup. "It was mine, but I'm not feeling particularly hungry, and I trust you need it more than me" he looked at the elf in concern "You are very lucky to be alive. Most would have died after being washed down stream from Thranduil's halls"
Legolas paused the cup halfway to his mouth a look of panic and fear flooding into his eyes, fearing his Father would think him dead.
"We are not going to hurt you" the man replied thinking that Legolas' fear was of them was the reason for his panicked expression "I am Tauron" he smiled at the elf "Who are you"
Legolas looked at the elf "Legolas" he replied "Please, I need to get a message to my Father…I need to tell him I live" there was a note of panic in the elf's voice "Please, I'm all he has left. If he thinks I am dead…" he faded of blinking back desperate tears If Father knows that I am unlikely to survive the river…he will go to Mandos, and I can't stop it! I need to let him know I'm alive!
Tauron nodded "It's late now; I'll send my son tomorrow. Who is your Father, is there a name I can send it to?"
Legolas chewed his lip uncomfortably "King Thranduil" he said softly, knowing how Tauron would react.
Tauron started "You…you are Prince Legolas! My Lord, I…I am sorry for my manners. You must think me rude"
Legolas held out a hand "Please, don't treat me differently. I do not think you rude"
Tauron continued to stare at the Prince "Valar, to think we were nursing an elf Prince, and I never suspected," he said to himself "Can I get you anything to make you more comfortable, Your Highness"
"Please," Legolas sighed "'Legolas' will suffice!" Tauron still looked rather flustered It isn't surprising thought Legolas After all, it isn't everyday that you find yourself nursing an injured elf prince "I am quite comfortable" Legolas assured him "I have had worse. I have been forced to sleep on hard dungeon floors quite enough for my liking."
"Dungeon floors!" Tauron was aghast "My Lord, Surely…"
"Ai, the life of a Prince often leads to being captured and held for ransom" Legolas laughed, which quickly turned into a groan of pain as he clutched his ribs. "Truly," he continued "All you can do to make me happier is to send a message to my Father. Valar he must be worried sick about me. But you have promised me that. Just one more thing…how badly am I injured?"
Tauron nodded felling slightly more relaxed "Your leg, arm and a number of your ribs are broken, and your leg is badly gashed. Other than that you are fine" he said
Legolas looked pained "Do not allow my Father to know of the scale of my injuries, he will only worry further. He is sure to have something to say to me when he arrives here"
"You love your Father very much don't you" Tauron asked
"He is all the family I have" Legolas replied
"I never knew my Father. I was born during the last alliance. When he died in that battle… my mother, she followed him to Mandos. I can't remember her either. I was brought up by my neighbours" he frowned "You are lucky having a Father that obviously loves you"
Legolas nodded, and placed the now empty mug on the table beside him and lay back, struggling now to keep his eyes open "I am" he whispered softly "I cause him much pain. Yet he still loves me." He shook his head "And please. I do not wish to be called 'your highness' or 'my Lord'. 'Legolas' will suffice"
Tauron nodded, but there was a question in his eyes "If you don't mind me asking, my…I mean Legolas. How did you end up in the River?"
Legolas yawned "There was an elfling, he fell in the river. I dived in to save him"
"But…surely someone else would have done that, so you didn't have to risk your life" Taurino blustered
Legolas shook his head "They would. But it is my duty" he simply said "I risk my life for my people because I am expected to. I wish to earn their respect" his eyes flickered in tiredness " and they would protect me from death. Why can I not protect my people…?" With that the Prince once again fell asleep
The morning sun rose early, and Legolas woke to find Losse at his side again, changing his bandages and performing other ministrations "Hello, Young Prince Legolas. It is an honour to have you here" she gushed with a smile
Legolas frowned "Please, you did not know who I was when you found me. Treat me no differently now."
"Nana! Nana! Is the Prince awake!" called the voice of Alasse; she skipped into the room her blonde ringlets bouncing and her silvery eyes shining, a bunch of wildflowers in her hand. Seeing the Prince she feel silent and offered the bunch of flowers to him "Nana says that flowers always make people better, so I picked some for you"
Legolas laughed softly "Thank you" he took the flowers fro the child
"Tauro went to find your Ada" the elfling continued "Are you really going to be king one day?"
Legolas frowned and shook his head "Maybe" he said, wanting to keep things simple for the pretty elfling. Not wishing to explain that for him to be King he would have to lose his Father and he did not want that. He closed his eyes, sudden fear for the elf king stabbing at his heart
He sighed deeply, hoping that the message would not reach his Father too late… Have hope Adar, please…have hope
TBC…
OK, I'll bring you chapter 4 tomorrow!
