Disclaimer: Not mine.
I know I posted the base of this story but it has been re done and is far better please read.
The morning was perfect for riding. It was a bright sunny summer's day with not a cloud in the sky and the air filled with the contented murmuring of the trees and the chirping of birds. Yes, it was a perfect day to spend with friends. Four horses made there way through the forest, ignoring the laughing beings on their backs.
The four friends and brothers were laughing and joking as they galloped their horses. Giving them the much needed exercise they needed. Three of these beings were Elves. Two identical twins, they had long ebony hair and grey eyes. Tall and slender they sat straight on the backs of their horses. They were Elladan and Elrohir the twin sons of Elrond Lord of Rivendell.
The third Elf was different all together. Tall and slender, he had long blond hair, drawn back into warrior plaits, framing a fair beautiful face. Incredible blue eyes twinkled with laughter as he laughed at his friends. He carried an air of royalty about him. Dignity seemed to seep from his pores. This was Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood and youngest son of King Thranduil.
The fourth person was a surprise. He was human. Tall and strong looking, he had long tangles black hair and light grey eyes. His face was surrounded by a scruffy, straggly beard that could not hide the fact that he was handsome, not in the classic way of Legolas, but handsome in a rugged sort of way. This was Estel, foster son of Elrond.
The four had been friends for many, many years and were very comfortable in each others company; in fact they sort it out. They were happy just to be in each others company.
That was why, this wonderful morning, they planned to take a long, leisurely ride. Legolas had been in Rivendell for a week, having delivered an important message from his father to Elrond. He had been given permission to stay and spend some time with his friends. It was good to take a break from the growing darkness that continued to grow around his home. Fighting Spiders and Orcs non stop can take it out of a person and the King made certain his guards and his son took frequent breaks to refresh themselves. A tired worrier could soon become a dead worrier, no matter how careful they might be.
Elrohir was mid way through teasing Estel with a joke they had managed to successfully pull the day before when disaster struck. Out of no where a snake darted out of the undergrowth, hissing and drawing itself up ready to strike. Legolas' horse reared up with fright, there was nothing Legolas could do. He had nothing but the mane of his horse to hold onto and in that split second of trying, caught only empty air. It wasn't helped by the fact that the horse chose that second to buck and rear up once more as the snake made its way once more into the undergrowth.
Legolas didn't stand a chance; the force of the kick sent him soaring up and over the horses head. Landing hard on the ground, the breath was knocked out of him. This fall would have been bad enough, the injury bad enough as it was, but then the bay reared once more, loosing its balance, falling heavily onto Legolas, crushing his legs underneath it.
The scream of agony echoed through the forest silencing all sound. Quickly dismounting the three rushed to their fallen friend. "Legolas, can you hear me? Where does it hurt?" Estel asked urgently as Elrohir helped the horse to rise and moved it away from Legolas, leading it limping to one side. The movement caused Legolas to scream in agony once more, other than that all they could make out were low moans that Legolas couldn't stop escaping his lips.
It was becoming obvious to all of them that Legolas was in dire need of urgent assistance and that for once they did not have any sleeping or analgesic herbs with them. They hadn't anticipated needing them. This was meant to be a fun ride around Rivendell's surrounding forest, no more.
Thinking quickly and taking advantage of the other Elf's distraction from the pain he lifted his hand and brought it down hard on Legolas' temple, knocking him out. Now they could check him over without hurting him more than he already was.
The sight made them all draw in breaths of horror. "Sweet Eru!" Was all Elladan could say weakly. Legolas' legs were both bent in a way legs were not meant to be. The leg of his right legging was soaked in bright red blood, the bone showing starkly white through the material. His face was a creamy white that spoke clearly of shock and his forehead was furrowed in pain even unconscious.
Estel took control. "Elrohir, find some long branches, were going to need to make a litter. We need to get him back to Ada as soon as we can." Elrohir nodded and left without a word. "Elladan, I need you to put your hands here. You need to press hard; we need to slow down the bleeding. I'm going to pad the wound as much as I can. He will need the pressure." As Elladan took his place, Estel removed his belt from around his waist and tied it around his thigh, tightening it. "You can let go now." They both gave sighs of relief as they notice the bleeding slow to a trickle. Reaching for his cloak, Aragorn stripped it to make bandages. Wadding some he used them to pad around the wound, before tying the remainder tightly, this would have to make do until they reached home.
Elrohir arrived back just as they finished and using the remaining two cloaks, they finished the litter by stretching them tightly over the long branches.
"We need to be careful when we lift him. The bones could grate together. On three?" Estel watched as his foster brothers readied themselves around the unconscious Elf. "One. Two. Three!" The three of them lifted Legolas a gently as they could, wincing at the low moan that escaped the Elf. Finally he was settled on the litter.
Estel checked the dressing before they moved. He needed to make sure that the wound hadn't been exacerbated by the move. It hadn't. "We will need to check the dressing frequently. We can't leave the tourniquet on for long, it will damage the legs blood supply." At the twin's nod of agreement, they readied themselves to leave. Elrohir took the head end and Elladan the feet, leaving Estel to check on Legolas as often as he needed.
It was a long, fraught way back. Aragorn's worry increasing as he took in the increasing pallor of his friends face and the weak, unsteady pulse.
Lord Elrond was taking a much needed break from his paperwork, breathing deeply the fresh air that entered through the window. It was because of this that he saw his sons returning from their ride. He frowned at the absence of the four's horses. That was when he realised there was only three walking. Two carried something. It was only when they came closer did he realise what it was. The sight of the litter worried him. There was one person missing and if that person were on the stretcher, whatever had happened had been bad.
He couldn't help but think of all the other times Legolas had been injured. He'd known Legolas to walk into Imladris with a broken leg before, having hidden it from the others. No it must be bad if Legolas was allowing the others to carry him. On that thought he hurried to meet his sons.
As he moved closer he took in the younger Elf's condition wincing. If he did not know better he would have said the Prince was dead. He urged them into the halls of healing, listening to his sons as they explained what happened. Once they had moved Legolas from the litter to the cot, Elrond turned to them.
"Go. Clean up, I need to have room here to work. Elladan, find Glorfindell, tell him what has happened, I will need his help." He hadn't taken his attention from the younger Elf.
"But, Ada!" Elrohir was cut off by his father.
"I don't have time for this. Legolas does not have time for this. Do as I say!" He couldn't help his sharp tone but they did not need to see this. He didn't even hear them leave….
The twins watched as Estel paced the floor outside the halls of healing. They had been waiting for hours with no word or clue as to what was happening inside the closed room. No matter how many times he was asked Estel could not sit still. What could be taking so long? Why couldn't they…….
The opening of the door brought the three heads around once more, as Elrond left the room. His face whilst exhausted gave nothing away, only his eyes…
"Ada?" It was a whisper from Estel.
Elrond took a deep breath before beginning. "He is stable. We managed to contain the bleeding and reset the bones. Both legs are very badly broken. The right one is the worst to look at, but the break in the left leg is even more unstable. I've done what I can. Only time will tell how well Legolas will heal." He closed his eyes, he really didn't want to have to tell them this, but it wouldn't be fair to get their hopes up. "I'm sorry, my Sons, but Legolas may never walk again. The damage may just be too much."
Elrond hated the words as they left his mouth. He looked upon Legolas as his fourth son ever since the Elf had moved to Rivendell to live following a major argument with his father. For this to happen…
Estel sat down on the floor with a bump, what little colour he had had in his face draining as the meaning of the words hit home. The twins stood swaying looks of shock on their faces, before holding tightly on to the other to stop themselves joining their brother.
Elrond continued he had to tell them all, nothing else would be right. No matter how much it hurt. "When the bones broke, some of them shattered. I've removed as many as I can, but the muscle damage was great. Legolas will have a long recovery ahead of him, he may have some movement eventually, but he may never have the strength to walk without aid, if can walk at all. I'm sorry." As he finished a sound echoed through the quiet from the room behind them.
At Elrond's nod the four of them walked into the room. Legolas lay on the pallet arms lying over his chest in a protective position.
They moved to the side of the pallet, they stood beside it looking down at the one they thought of as their brother. Elladan and Elrohir began to recite an Elvish pray of healing and protection.
Estel moved closer to the pallet, to stand beside his friend. He had only known Legolas for a few years, but had forged a strong, deep bond with him in that time and seeing him so helpless hurt somewhere deep inside.
The blond Mirkwood Elf always seemed so full of life and energy. Always smiling and laughing even when the smile did not fully reach his eyes. Legolas had been living in Imladris for five years now and had been learning the lore's of Imladris from Elrond, himself. He always said that one day he would return to Mirkwood and his people. Now it looked as if Legolas would never go anywhere again.
Estel was broken out of his thoughts as Legolas began to stir. Finally his eyes opened. Normally a clear bright blue now they were cloudy from sleep and full of pain. He tried to speak but could only manage a croak. Elrohir was there instantly a cool glass of water in his hand, he helped Legolas to drink. Legolas tried once again.
"Lord Elrond, What has happened? My legs…" He was all but gasping in pain as it took hold of him. "My Legs, they hurt so much. Wha…." His voice failed once again.
None of them could bring themselves to answer straight away the pain in that voice telling them more than anything. For Legolas to admit to being in pain…
Elrond gently laid a hand on top of Legolas' brow, trying to calm him somewhat. "Legolas, you were thrown from your horse. It landed on your legs, they are very badly damaged. You may never…" He could not say any more. He did not have to; the expression on Legolas face told them all that he knew what Elrond was trying to tell him. Blinking rapidly to rid himself of the tears his father had told him so many times were a sign of weakness, he couldn't hide the look of terror that seemed to take his breath away as it really sank in exactly what Elrond hadn't told him….
