Chapter Fourteen
The room was sober, there was no other way to describe it. Luthin stared at all the faces in the room, each one portraying the same worried expression. Only Lady Celebrian looked like she held any slight hope. Elladan and Elrohir both looked grim, having seen their father work on such wounds before, only to have the elf fade away after hours, even days of treatment. Idrial had her face turned away from everyone, though the shaking in her shoulders had stopped and now she sat quietly, too tired to cry anymore. Glorfindel stood by the door, should Elrond call for his assistance. It was Glorfindel that intrigued Luthin the most. The tall elf lord seemed to be more upset than he himself was, and that worried Luthin. He wasn't worried that Glorfindel was too upset, but that he himself wasn't enough.
Luthin's thought's drifted back to his fight with Kelderas. His older brother had told him that he hadn't felt the grief of their loss at all. Luthin had immediately protested. He'd tried to tell his oldest brother that he'd grieved for their naneth, he'd felt the wrongness of the whole situation. But now that they'd almost lost another family member, Luthin started to hear Kelderas' words over and over in his mind. Do I truly not grieve at all for her? he asked himself. Idrial sat weeping in a corner for her brother, and he sat quietly without even the slightest tear in his eye.
When he'd seen Legolas laying on that table, so pale, so much blood, he'd cried out and tried to go to him. But even as Glorfindel escorted him from the room, he hadn't shed a tear. Even as they sat now, waiting for Elrond to come out and tell them that Legolas would be all right, he didn't even feel the slight burn of tears. His eyes were dry and that was unfair.
Perhaps Kelderas was right. Perhaps Luthin truly hadn't grieved over their Naneth's loss. He'd felt numb, alone, but he hadn't shed a tear. And only a few days after she died, he'd gone away on a training trip. The warriors had tried to convince him to stay, to take his time, but he'd told them honestly that he was fine. And he had been. During the trip, he'd never let the grief get to him. Was it because he had no grief? The thought made Luthin shudder. Of course he missed her, like they all did, but he'd been away. He'd been gone and away from them all. While they were all getting used to not having Naneth come in for their morning meal, or come in and check on them while they sleep, or ask them how their days were, he was away from that already. Perhaps he truly hadn't realized that she was really gone.
And suddenly, Luthin felt his chest constrict. She was gone. The numbing sensation of loss seemed to lift from Luthin's head as he forced the realization of what happened to his Naneth forward. He hadn't had time to deal with it before. But now, it was smacking him in the face. Naneth would have made Legolas stay out of the armory, Luthin was sure of it. She would have been in his room, rocking him to sleep. And instead, no one had been there for him when he needed them.
Tears stung at the edges of Luthin's eyes and he quickly reached up to wipe them away. As soon as he did, he felt arms wrap around his shoulders and found Idrial sitting next to him, her face buried into his shoulder. He tried to make the tears stop then, for Idrial, but he had months of grief flooding into him in a single moment and he put his head in his hands and let the tears flow, stifling only the sobs. Idrial rubbed his back gently, knowing that he needed to get it out. The others in the room sat quietly, not judging either of them.
Sitting in his sister's arms, Luthin suddenly felt young again. He remembered the way Naneth would hold him and make everything all better. The way she sang quietly to him to get him to feel safe. And he wished that someone was there to do that for Legolas. He turned his body and wrapped his arms around Idrial. "I wish Naneth were here," he whispered to her, his plea broken by a quiet sob.
Idrial squeezed him tighter and whispered back, "So do I." The two held each other, Idrial started to softly cry again. Finally, it was she who pulled away. She wiped the tears from her own face and then from Luthin's. "He'll be all right," she said, knowingly. "Lord Elrond is the best healer there is."
As if seeking the truth, both Idrial and Luthin turned to look at Glorfindel, who was nearest to them. But he didn't look away from the door, too intent on finding it in himself to tell them they were right. When he didn't say anything, Celebrian spoke up. "Of course he'll be all right," she said, her voice soft and soothing. "Your brother is a strong little sprig."
Luthin laughed at the use of Legolas' nickname. He sat back and stared at the opposite wall. "That he is." He shook his head, thinking of all the times he had marveled in Legolas' ability to live through what he'd been through. He knew some elven warriors who would have been forced to sail, or would have simply died of the grief, after going through the circumstances Legolas had gone through. But his youngest brother had proved to them all how strong he was. And though he still grieved horribly, he'd shown that he would one day get pass the horrific memories. He'd always carry them with him, but he'd deal with them. He wouldn't succumb to the grief.
None of them would if Luthin had anything to do with it.
Thranduil sat still, ignoring Elrond's requests that he try and get some rest, for it would be a while before Legolas would wake, if he ever did. Kelderas still stood vigil by the door, his head bowed in both worry and exhaustion. Thranduil's children had been having a rough couple of days. He looked towards his youngest, whose eyes were still closed and skin still pale. He stroked Legolas' hand, feeling the tiny fingers as they lay limp, lifeless. He pondered for a moment what Legolas had been doing in the armory, he knew better than to go in there. But he quickly pushed that thought aside. He had to know his son would be all right before he could scold him.
Suddenly, the healing wing was a buzzing of activity. Thranduil looked towards Elrond, who rose from a chair on the other side of the young prince. He frowned when he saw Elrond was no longer looking towards his son. Thranduil turned and saw a few elven warriors flood into the room, carrying litters between them with injured strewn among them. Thranduil kissed his young son's hand before rising.
"What's happened?" Thranduil demanded and was surprised to see Kabain helping an injured warrior into the healing room.
Kabain looked back at them, his dark hair plastered to his face with blood and mud. Thranduil recognized the spots of orc blood that speckled his Captain's face. Kabain helped his injured comrade onto a cot and then turned to his King.
"My Lord Thranduil," Kabain greeted, almost too flustered for the formal greeting. Thranduil nodded to him in response. "We were attacked by orcs and forced to abandon our post on the border. They took us by surprise. I know that with a few patrols, I'll be able to take the post back, my lord."
Thranduil sighed and looked towards where Kelderas stood, listening intently. His eldest son seemed torn. He knew how much Kelderas was willing to give for Mirkwood, that he knew too well. But he was sure that his son didn't want to leave not knowing whether his youngest brother would live or die. He quickly made up Kelderas' mind for him.
"Kelderas, gather your Northern second shift patrol and report back to Kabain." Kelderas nodded, his eyes flickering for a moment towards Legolas before he went to leave. Thranduil caught his arm. "Make sure to bring yourself back afterwards."
Kelderas stared at his father, before nodding and running off to gather the patrols. When Thranduil turned to talk to Kabain again, he found his captain looking towards where Legolas lay. The Captain's face was impassive, but his eyes told Thranduil that he was stunned to see such a wound on one so young. Kabain had the tact not to ask what happened, though Thranduil wouldn't have minded if he had asked. Instead, he turned to the King and dismissed himself, off to help what wounded he could.
Luthin was suddenly by Thranduil's side. Thranduil wondered where his son had come from. "Adar, allow me to go with them."
"No," Thranduil said swiftly. "You're needed here."
"I can fight!" Luthin protested. "Our training…"
"Hasn't begun yet. You're not ready."
Thranduil hushed him before he could protest further. Thranduil immediately went to see how many of his ranking officers had been injured. He found that some of his lesser lieutenants had suffered some small wounds, and one of his lieutenants had been left behind, dead. Thranduil gave a soft prayer to Valar for all who lost their lives before finding Kabain back in front of him.
"We've gather the second and third Eastern Archer patrols as well as the first and third Northern combat patrols as well as Kelderas' Northern Second Shift patrol." Kabain announced as Kelderas walked into the room.
"Take a few from the second Western Archers as well," Thranduil ordered. "Be careful." He clasped both of them on the shoulders before they went to find the other shift Captains that would follow under Kabain. Thranduil watched them retreat for a moment before turning back to the chaos that had erupted in the healing wing. Healers were working swiftly on patients and just as quickly more were being brought in. Elrond had moved to help the more severe wounds. Thranduil saw that Luthin had moved to Legolas' side and was stroking his head, quietly whispering comforting words to him should he hear the commotion.
"We need to move him," Thranduil said, walking over to them and gently sliding his hand beneath Legolas' back and legs, being careful of the already healing wound. Luthin stood slowly, his eyes on a warrior who'd been brought back with one less foot. "Come," Thranduil commanded, drawing his son from the shock of seeing his first orc wound victim. Luthin shook his head and then seemed to gather himself. He followed his father out of the room. They ran into Glorfindel and Idrial instantly.
When Idrial saw Legolas in her father's arms, she cried out and ran to them. "No, please," she whispered, placing a hand on his head.
"It's all right," Thranduil soothed her quietly. "We needed to move him and allow room for the wounded warriors."
"I will see if I can help," Celebrian announced, walking into the healing wing. Elrohir followed, but Elladan stayed close to Idrial. She was looking weak on her feet. He grabbed her arm to steady her.
"Where are you taking him, Ada?" Idrial asked, following her father.
"To his room," Thranduil told her. "He'll rest there until he wakes." Idrial nodded and slowed, allowing Elladan to help balance her.
"You need rest, my lady," Elladan whispered to her, gently guiding her to her room. She protested just a little, saying she wanted to stay with Legolas, but then she laid her head on Elladan's chest and allowed him to guide her to her room. Luthin gave him a smile of gratitude before following his father into Legolas' room. Glorfindel stayed behind, talking with a few of the wounded warriors to help settle them.
It was hours before the palace settled again. Kabain, Kelderas and other lietenants and captains had rode out to meet the orc menace. Elrond was still working on the patients, though now there were only minor wounds to tend to. All who would die in the healing wing today were already dead. They'd lost nine elves in all, some whom had been brought in dead. But thirty had survived.
The twins and Celebrian where helping in the healing wing, talking to the warriors to keep the mood bright. Idrial was asleep in her room. Luthin and Thranduil sat with Legolas, though Thranduil knew that sooner or later he would have to make his rounds of the wounded, to show them their king still cared. But for now, he sat by Legolas' side, gently stroking the young arm.
Luthin sat in a chair, his head drooped, succumbing to sleep. Thranduil gave another prayer to Valar, too many he had given this day.
The door opened quietly and Thranduil looked up to see Glorfindel enter. Thranduil motioned for him to be quiet, showing him Luthin was asleep. Glorfindel nodded in understanding before closing the door gently and walking over to the bed. He looked down on the sleeping elfling. "No doubt you will want to see to your warriors," Glorfindel said formally.
"Yes," Thranduil whispered back. "But I am afraid if I leave him, he will be gone when I come back." It was the honest truth and Glorfindel felt a small amount of admiration that Thranduil could confide in him so.
"I will not let him pass in your absence," Glorfindel assured him, sitting down on the opposite side of the bed and taking one of Legolas' hands. Thranduil gave him a wan smile. He kissed Legolas's forehead and then rose to leave the room, without turning back, knowing that Glorfindel would keep his promise. Glorfindel looked across the room at the sleeping Luthin. He hadn't stirred. Then his eyes fell again upon the young prince. "You had better wake up soon, little son of Thranduil," Glorfindel cooed. "This family needs you back."
Review Responses:
MCross: You will for sure get another story. :-) Don't you worry.
Moonshine44: I'll finish. I know I may have scared you, but don't worry. I will for sure finish.
kel: Yeah we have to make sure Legolas is okay.
daw the minstrel: Kelderas still has a long road ahead of him. But now that he knows he's not alone, it should be a bit smoother.
Kirsten: Sorry it took so long! It won't take so long next time.
just a reader: Thanks! I've been getting really into it lately so my writing is at its peak.
Ithil-valon: I do like it when Glorfindel is torn instead of the strong hero everyone plays him out to be.
EgyptMau: This one was a little longer in the making...sorry about that.
Templa Otemna: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it. Hopefully the next chapters will come out a little quicker.
Lady meme: Thanks. :-)
RESPONSE TO ALL!
Sorry it took so long to update. I was on spring break and when i got back I had finals. But now I'm back in the swing of things. :-) The next chapter shouldn't take so long.