Chapter Thirteen
Elrond sat up, his breaths coming in hitched gasps. He stared at the opposite wall, where a mirror hung and his reflection glared back at him. He tried to calm his racing heart and, drawing in several long breaths, realized that he didn't know what had disturbed him so. He felt Celebrian's hand slide over his stomach as she wrapped an arm around him and then sat up next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"What is it love?" She asked, suddenly brought from her sleep when she noticed Elrond' unnatural pallor.
Elrond shook his head, he had a foreboding vision. Blood, tears, a greatness portrayed through a warrior. And then, Elrond suddenly realized what had disturbed him. He had seen the young prince, pale as the snow, lying in the halls of kings with Thranduil weeping over his body.
The elf lord didn't respond to his wife as he jumped out of bed and threw on his robe. He turned to Celebrian, who was rising from the bed, worry evident on her face. "Something is wrong," he stated simply.
The two rushed out of their room and found their way to Thranduil's bedroom. Elrond knocked and when no one answered, he opened the door. He found his friend's bed empty and immediately his heart jumped. Please don't let my foresight be too late. Elrond begged the Valar. He ran to Thranduil's study, Celebrian following closely, her nightgown sweeping over the floor.
Elrond didn't bother to knock this time, just rushed in. To his slight relief, he found Thranduil sitting in front of the fire, staring into its bowels. Thranduil looked up when Elrond entered and immediately came alert when he saw the look on the Lord of Imladris' face. He stood quickly, but Elrond didn't wait for him to ask.
"I had a vision. Legolas…"
The Mirkwood king ran past Elrond, already on his way to Legolas' room. He burst through the doors and a small cry of dismay escaped his lips when he saw that his youngest son's bed was empty. He turned to face the dark haired elven lord. "Where is he?" He demanded, the panic evident in his voice.
"I know not," Elrond said, shaking his head. "But he is in danger…"
Thranduil shoved past him again and took the few strides to Kelderas' room. He threw open the doors hastily and found that Kelderas and Idrial sat on the bed. They had been discussing something, but Thranduil didn't have the time to give them their peace. "Have you seen Legolas?" Thranduil demanded heavily. Kelderas, surprised and a bit angered at the intrusion suddenly sobered and shook his head. He gained his feet, holding his shoulder's square and taking the stance of Thranduil's captains, recognizing the urgency and irregality of the situation.
"Take two guards and search the palace," Thranduil's panic had died and was now set with determination. "Look everywhere."
Kelderas nodded and rushed out. He met with two guards who had come to see what the commotion was about and they took off down the hall, opening doors and searching rooms for any sign of the youngest prince.
Idrial came to her father's side. "Ada? What is it?"
"Lord Elrond believes he is in danger," Thranduil said gently, noticing for the first time the look of fear that had crossed his daughter's face. He prayed to the Valar that they would not suffer another loss, not so soon, not ever. The look that had been, and still was, on Elrond's face told Thranduil that urgency was key to keeping his son safe. "Gather some healers, have them ready for anything."
Idrial nodded and ran off to do as her father wished. She couldn't help but think that her father was handling himself very well, considering it was his youngest son who may need those healers. She tried not to think about it.
Thranduil turned to the guards who were left behind. "Two of you search the East Wing. Palanas, Feanor, take the West. The rest come with me." Immediately, the guards fell into step with their appropriate search parties and headed out. Thranduil lead the rest of the guards through the residence chambers, opening doors and finding nothing but empty rooms.
The king opened the Elrond's sons' door and the twins sat up in unison, surprised and a little apprehensive to find the king of Mirkwood barging into their room. Immediately their eyes fell upon their father and they rose to their feet. Thranduil kept moving, but Elrond stayed behind to explain what was transpiring.
The next room was Glorfindel's. The elf lord was awake, standing by the window watching the storm. When Thranduil came in, he turned and, seeing the look upon Thranduil's face, asked hectically, "What is it?"
"Legolas," was all Thranduil said before he gave a glance around the room to make sure his youngest son hadn't slept in Glorfindel's room again before moving on. Glorfindel, feeling his stomach drop at the fear in Thranduil's voice over his youngest, grabbed his sword which was placed conveniently at the end of his bed and chased after the Mirkwood king, who was moving through room after room rapidly.
It took only minutes to finish with the residence chambers. To Thranduil, it had seemed like years. Each second that passed meant less of a chance of finding his son in a healthy condition. One of the guards moved pass Thranduil to open the armory door. Thranduil was about to shake his head and tell him that Legoals would never go in there, that Legolas knew better because he had been told so, but was stopped silent when the door opened and he was met with a horrifying smell of copper and must. The guard sucked in a breath, but Thranduil was quicker to move and pausing only slightly at the sight of his son, ran into the armory and collapsed next to Legolas, who lay deathly still and pale in the center of the floor, a sword to his right.
"Legolas!" Thranduil cried when he saw his son's eyes closed. There was blood pooling out from a deep slash across Legolas' thigh. Thranduil didn't notice that he had kneeled in the substance. "Elrond!" Thranduil bellowed only to find that the elf lord had already joined the king at his side. Elrond reached out a hand to feel Legolas' neck for a pulse.
"He still lives," Elrond said quietly, reaching forward and fingering the thigh wound. "This is deep and it is bleeding heavily." He moved the small body slightly and a squirt of blood shot out from the wound. Elrond felt his heart drop. He's hit something vital… he thought dreadfully. "Let us get him to the healers. I may yet be able to help him."
Thranduil felt tears sting at his eyes. He stared at the elfling's face, his elfling's face. This was his son, his youngest, his baby, the last great gift Narsine had ever given him. And suddenly, a new resolve came over the king. Elrond was not giving up and willing to take on the task of saving him. That was good enough reason to hold onto hope. He reached forward and scooped the elfling into his arms, surprised at how light his son felt. How long had it been since he'd held him? The thought made Thranduil all the more determined to see his son through this. I have not been the Adar he needs. Live through this and I will make it up to you penneth, this I promise.
The sober group made their way quickly to the healers. Idrial gasped loudly when she saw the state her younger brother was in as Thranduil laid him down on a table. She looked to Elrond, Celebrian, the twins, and Glorfindel and found all their faces compassionate, but fearful.
Elrond set to work quickly. The healers who had been prepared let him work, but stepped in when he asked them to. Thranduil had to resist the urge to tell Elrond to leave his son alone when the dark haired elf lord reached his hand deep into the wound, trying to find the source of the bleeding so he could stop it and sew it up. Idrial had to turn her head away and Elladan came forward to put an arm around her shoulders. She dug her face into his shoulder, but turned her head to watch again, accepting the comfort of his arm.
Kelderas and Luthin suddenly burst through the doors, having been informed that their brother had been found.
"No!" Luthin's face resounded horror and he rushed forward the gather his brother into his arms, but Thranduil put out an arm and caught him. "will he be all right?" Luthin asked quietly, looking for Elrond to give him a sign, but he received none. Thranduil just squeezed his shoulder.
Kelderas stood quietly by the door, taking in the scene. He noticed that Glorfindel stood next to him, looking all the part of a noble warrior, but worry evident in his eyes. Kelderas shut his eyes for a moment before mimicking the stance fully. A warrior's resolve, that's what his family needed now. He couldn't fall apart in front of them. He could shed tears later over the incident, but now he would have to have hope that Elrond would find a way to bring Legolas through this.
Finally, Elrond's hand came from the wround, gripping a stringy artery. He quickly accepted help from a healer and stiched up the artery until no more blood seeped out. He looked up afterwards and noticed everyone standing around, watching him intently. "This will take time, but I've stopped the bleeding. He's lost a lot of blood, but I believe he will live." There was a resounding loosening of shoulders in the room and Elrond nodded towards Glorfindel. "I need time to work."
Glorfindel nodded, knowing he was asking the elf warrior to help usher people from the room. It was easy to get Celebrian, Elladan, Elrohir, and Idrial from the room. When he asked Luthin to follow him, the younger brother shook his head, but with a small urge from the elf lord that Legolas would be all right, Luthin left as well. The only two Glorfindel could not get to leave the room were Thranduil and Kelderas. He did not even try to make Thranduil leave, seeing the elven King had a strong grip on his youngest's limp hand. And when he made the suggestion to Kelderas, the elf shook his head, resolved in staying in the room.
Elrond worked quickly and carefully. But after hours of what he was sure torment for the royal family, he felt Legolas start to slowly slip away. He looked down at the pale face of the young elfling. Legolas' pale blonde hair haloed his head, with a face that had started to chisel itself out, but still was quite young. There were deep, dark circles beneath Legolas' eyes. His lips were pale as well and he looked almost ghostly lying on the table.
But Elrond knew what it would mean for this young elfling to slip away now into the abyss of death. It was as if the whole of Middle Earth would wail at his death and utterly fall into the darkness which was threatening to consume Mirkwood. The wood elves would be the first to fall. But Elrond could also sense a further disturbance should this elfling die. A threat to the future of all of Middle Earth. Things this elfling would never do would utterly destroy Middle Earth. An orc that would never be slain, a relationship that would never be established, a smile that would never be shared, an arrow that would never be fired, a friendship that would never be formed. There would be an empty whole where this elfling was suppose to be.
Elrond would not let that happen.
Not only was this life valuable to Middle Earth, Elrond found that it was valuable to himself as well. It could have very easily been Arwen lying on the table, or Elladan or Elrohir. He had come to love this little Elfling that had impacted his family and friends so heavily. He would not let him leave. The Halls of Mandos could not have this one.
Laying a hand on Legolas' chilled forehead, Elrond closed his eyes and let his healing energy course through his body, down his arm, and into this small being, He whispered a few words to the Valar to spare this once, to grace him with life once again. He forced his powers to do their magic on the wound. At first, Elrond thought he would never be able to keep the elfling in this world, but then he felt him start to come back. He felt Legolas' light stop dimming. It didn't strengthen, but it didn't weaken either. Elrond pushed a little further but then pulled away and looked down at him.
"It is up to you now, penneth," Elrond whispered, stroking his head gently, pushing some of the pale locks out of the young one's eyes.
"Legolas," The voice was calling him quietly and he turned to find that he was in a place he didn't know. A stream ran through the grassy area. His eyes caught sight of a person sitting by the stream and when he realized who it was, he immediately let out a sob and ran to her.
"Naneth!" He cried and flung himself at her. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging the young elfling to her chest. They stood together, embraced in each others arms for what seemed like eternity before she set him down and kneeled in front of him. "Naneth…" but he couldn't find anything to say.
"Legolas," she whispered and smiled, brushing a hand down his cheek. "You were very brave ion nin. I am so proud of you."
"But…"
"I want you to remember that I will always be watching you," she whispered to him. "I'm sorry I had to leave you, child. But I will be waiting for you in Valinor."
"I want to come with you now!" Legolas cried, flinging his arms around her neck. She hugged him but shook her head and pushed him back.
"You cannot," she said demandingly. "You cannot come with me now. Your Ada needs you. As do Kelderas and Luthin and Idrial. Have you forgotten about them already?"
"No!" Legolas cried in fear, his eyes wide. "Can they not come too?"
She laughed melodically, brushing his face again with her hand. "No, they cannot come now either. There are so many things you need to do yet in this world, ion nin. So many great things. Promise to make me proud and take care of your family and friends above all others."
"I promise Nana," Legolas whispered. "But I want you to be here too."
"I will be watching," she repeated. "And if ever you get sad, just remember that I love you and life is my gift to you." She stood up and brushed away the tears that lined the elfling's face. "Now, promise me you will not follow. You must go back and you must make it. Your Adar is waiting."
"Okay Naneth," he whispered, giving her one last hug as she turned to walk away. "I love you Naneth!"
"I love you too, Penneth," she yelled back.
And all of a sudden, the stream was gone, as was the grass, and in its place was an empty darkness. Legolas drifted for a while, not feeling, not caring. Several times he thought about following after his Naneth, but he reminded himself that he had made a promise. Every once in a while, he felt himself starting to drift towards the tunnel towards awareness, but he would run back, away from it, not ready to leave the comforting embrace of darkness. He heard his voice being called from inside that tunnel and he was tempted to answer, but not yet. He would, but not yet. Not when he was so sad. He would when he was good and ready.
Review Responses:
MCross: Maybe this will be the storm. I haven't decided yet whether or not I want to do the other thing yet. Perhaps that will be a different story altogether. -)
kel: It must be very scary for Legolas. I hate it when I hurt myself and I know that when I'm alone and get hurt I sometimes panic lol. But I've never hurt myself like Legolas has.
daw the minsterl: It was very emotional to write. I had a bit of trouble getting through it. And yes, Legolas was very cute. He has some very childish thoughts, which I love.
EgyptMau: This quick enough for you?
Kirsten: Leggy is hurt...but don't worry...he'll get better. -)
moonshine44: I literally blushed when you said I was a good author. -) Thank you very much for the compliment. I hope this was a quick enough update for you. I feel like this story may be coming to an end, though I had some other things planned as well, perhaps I'll hold off on them for some later stories. We'll have to wait and see.