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Legolas was bored. Bored and in pain. All he could do was watch the ceiling or his immediate surroundings. If he craned his neck he could just about see the sky, but that was all. For the first few days after the accident he had not been left alone. This brought about feelings of both relief and embarrassment. He had had two more fits, but was grateful he could not remember them. It was bad enough waking up to find Elrond and Estel changing him like a baby. He still blushed at the thought of wetting himself like an Elfling.
Elrond had been very patient and had explained why he was wetting himself, but it did nothing to help his wounded pride.
He needed to distract himself so once more cast a gaze around the room. There! It was book he had only seen a couple of time, he really wanted to read it, but every time he looked for it in the library it was not there. What was it doing on the floor of his room?
Without thinking he began to reach down and pick it up. He knew full well that Elrond and his family were only in the next room and he should really call for one of them; but his pride won out once more.
Slowly, gingerly he shifted himself as far across the bed as his splinted legs would allow. Wincing as his bruised and battered body protested the movement, but finally he was near enough to reach down with has long arms. He smiled in triumph as he managed to pick the book up. Now all he needed to do was get him self back into the right position, he really did not need a lecture from his surrogate Father.
Trying to be as quick and as gentle as he could Legolas began the job of getting into bed and straight. He was not even half way there when his right leg spas med with pain. Legolas could not the pain filled cry leaving his lips.
In the immediate silence that followed Legolas could do nothing but grip the sheets, knuckles white. The door to his room flew open to reviel all of Elrond's family. Estel moved, rushing to the bed. "Legolas, what happened?" He helped Legolas move the rest of the way back into bed.
Elrond joined him at the bed side, glaring down at the younger Elf. "What do you think you were doing? Are you that stupid? You know why you have to stay in bed, if you keep this up you will never stand alone let alone walk. Why did you not call for help? You knew we were in the next room, one of us would have come to you or is your pride so great that you ca not even ask your family for help?" He only stopped his tirade when he saw the large blue eyes shimmering with a mixture of pain and tears. He would have apologised but Legolas spoke first.
"I'm sorry, Lord Elrond, really sorry. I did not think the book was so far. You have all been so wonderful to me that I wanted you to have a break. I also did not want you to think of me as being weaker than I already am. I hate this! I hate not being able to join you all. I hate not being able to go outside. I just want…" His voice was choked and he couldn't say no more. He just kept his gaze downwards unable to meet any one's eyes not wanting to see the disappointment in their eyes.
A heavy weight sitting on his bed remedied that. Elrohir and Elladan took a hand each giving reassuring squeezes. Arwen gently stroked his hair, murmuring soft words of encouragement. Estel carefully wrapped his arms around Legolas waist, careful not to jostle any of Legolas wounds, but needing to give comfort as well.
Elrond could only smile at the sight before him. His children were a delight, their Mother would have been so proud of them. "You have no need to apologise, Legolas. It should be me. You have to learn that you are a part of this family. If you need help just ask, it will be freely given. No one will think you are weak, just sensible."
This was cut off by Estel muttering. "That will be a first."
"At least Lord Elrond admitted I have some, more than can be said of you, Scruffy Human." Legolas' voice was still thick with emotion.
"As if, prissy Elf." By the end of this exchange every one was grinning; glad to have some thing at last to smile about.
"Just so you know and in front of expert witnesses. I love you Legolas, you are a fourth son to me and you always will be no matter what happens." He moved to stand next to Elrohir before leaning forward and placing a small kiss on Legolas' forehead. "Now, I think some relief from that pain do you not think so?" He smiled at Legolas' shy nod, but frowned when he had his back turned to the bed. He knew the pain must be bad, for Legolas had not even protested that he was 'fine' as he usually would.
Once the tea was ready he walked back to the bed, smiling at the banter between his for sons, knowing full well they were trying to take Legolas' mind off of the pain. "Drink this." The tea was taken and swallowed in one pulling a face at the taste. Elrond held out a goblet of water which Legolas took swallowing quickly, eager to remove the bitter taste of the tea.
A low voice whispered. "Hannon Lle, Adar. Can I have two Adar's?" Legolas kept his eyes firmly on the covers, not sure that Elrond would be happy for Legolas to call him this.
Elrond's own eyes were shimmering with unshed tears now. He had always wanted Legolas to call him Adar, was honoured that he felt this at ease to use the title. He was also happy that Legolas know had a father figure he was comfortable enough with to talk through problems with. He noticed Legolas' eyes were growing heavy as sleep beckoned.
"Yes, Legolas, you can have two Fathers. Sleep now we will be near you." Looking up he caught the amusement on Estel's face. "You gave him a sleeping draught?" The young man's voice sounded incredulous.
"I mixed it with the pain relief. He needs his sleep to mend." He smiled outright as Estel shook his head.
"I would hate to be in your shoes when he wakes up, nor when he can move on his own again."
Quiet laughter filled the room, careful not to waken Legolas.
As the night wore on the Elves fell into Elven sleep. Aragorn sat watching his friend, noting with dismay that Legolas slept with his eyes closed. Even Estel succumbed to sleep eventually his deep snores echoing around the chamber.
Elladan was the first to wake up the next morning. No had bothered to close the curtains the night before. Bright sunshine filled the room, the beam of light landing exactly where Elladan had been sitting. He stretched, trying to loosen the knots and kinks that came from sleeping in so difficult a position. He took in the sight before him and could only smile.
Lying in the middle of the bed was Legolas, his legs strapped into position in front of him. On the opposite side of the bed was Elrohir, his hands still tightly grasping Legolas pale, thin hand. Arwen had her hands still entangled in Legolas' golden hair Eyes unfocused she still slept, but as Elladan watched his sister began to wake up.
Estel was slumped on the side of the bed, causing Elladan to wince, his foster brother was going to really regret falling asleep in this position. He had his arms firmly around Legolas' waist, snuggled as close to the Elf as could be possible given the situation.
But what surprised the Twin the most was Elrond. He had his arms wrapped tightly around Legolas' shoulders, Legolas had at some point in the night Lent back into the warmth and comfort of his new Adar. Now his head rested on Elrond's shoulder. Sleeping like this, the two Elves really did look like father and son.
Arwen yawned aloud, before opening her eyes and taking in the sight before her. Smiling back at her brother she could not help but comment. " They look sweet like that do they not? Like butter would not melt in their mouths. A pity it does not last into day time." She began stroking Legolas free hair once more.
Elladan was quiet, he did not know how to answer. Yes, it was sweet and yes it was how he thought his family should be, but something felt odd. Finally he began. "Yes, they look sweet. I have always thought that Legolas deserved to be a part of this family; but now he is, I can not help but think we will not see Ada so much. He is always busy as it is, running Rivendell and healing. With Legolas injured…" He broke off as the others began to wake up also.
Arwen looked at her eldest brother with shock. Elladan's reaction stunned her. How could he think that of both her father and Legolas. Did he really resent…
Her thoughts were cut off as Legolas suddenly arched off the bed, his body rigid and jerking as another fit wracked the injured Elf. All focus in the room was on Legolas, leaving Arwen or Elladan the time to think over what had been said.
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Meisalliam
