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The morning as overcast and promised rain, not that Legolas would mind. He was too excited to be down for long. Finally after a month of forced inactivity Elrond was allowing him outside. The month had been frustrating. He had had to resign himself to having to have help for many things. For that long month he had had to have someone carry him to the bath chamber that this was the only time he was allowed out of bed this galled. But today that was over. He could go and see the trees. How he missed them. Yes he could hear them, but it was not the same as seeing them.
Elladan and Elrohir had assigned themselves the job of getting him dressed, cheerful banter filling the air as they told Legolas about their latest successful joke on Glorfindel. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the clothes they had chosen. You never quiet knew what to expect from these two. For the moment he felt he could trust them, the last three fits had scared them all badly.
They helped him dress in a tunic of fine green silk teamed with a pair of loose brown leggings. The leggings had has to be split up the side to allow room for Legolas' heavily splinted legs. Know that he was ready he could not wait to get out of this room. As much as he loved it, after four weeks he was heartily sick of it; it reminded him too much of a prison. The only disappointment was the fact that Elrond was not here. He had been called on urgent matters to Lothlorien. He knew Elrond had not been happy either, but felt it important that Legolas' trip to the garden was not delayed. The Elf needed the break in monotony.
"Are you ready, my Prince?" Elrohir gave a jaunty bow, causing all three to laugh.
At Legolas' affirmation, Elladan gently picked Legolas up. This was another part he hated, being carried, but it was a necessity. He had tried once to stand under Elrond's expert eye, but found it difficult and painful just to move his legs and when he had finally got himself upright his legs had not had the strength to hold him and before any one could catch him he had ended up in a crumpled heap on the floor groaning with pain.
Elladan was careful as he carried his charge to the door and down the corridor to the stairs. Once they had successfully manpowered down the stairs Elladan gave a sigh of relief. He did not want to hurt Legolas any more than he already was. A voice calling from behind caused him to turn without thinking. He stopped when Legolas gave a groan of pain. Elladan looked down. Legolas' eyes were tightly shut, his face screwed up in pain. His lips were a thin white line. His face was so pale that it resembled the colour of parchment.
"Legolas, what happened?" It was then he saw how close Legolas legs were to the open doorway beside them. Putting two and two together guilt flooded Elladan. "I am sorry, Legolas. Did…"
"I am fine, Elladan, do not fuss. Now come the outside beckons" With that the two continued on their way.
Reaching the entrance hall they found Glorfindel waiting. If a Lord could be bouncing with excitement, Glorfindel would be doing just that. By his side was a large package covered so that no one would be able to see what it was. Grinning broadly Glorfindel pulled the cover away to reveal a strange looking chair.
The chair was made from dark wood, its seat a deep red cushion. Four wheels were attached to the bottom. It also had an attachment to accommodate Legolas' legs with wide straps to hold the legs in place. Elladan moved to the side of the chair setting Legolas gently down on the cushion. Between them He and Elrohir strapped a leg into place.
Glorfindel smiled at the look on the young Prince's face and began explaining. "It is a wheelchair. Because it has wheels you will be able to move around a lot easier. When you are used to it you will be able to move it yourself. Estel had the idea; I helped make it with him." The beam the two in question received from Legolas was more than enough thanks. To see him so happy and bright once more was a delight to behold.
"Thank you. I do not know what to say." Legolas was running his hands across the polished wood before moving to continue the movement with the wheels.
Estel knelt beside his friend and began to explain the chairs mechanics. "It can either be pushed using these handles or you can move it using the back wheels. This lever is to stop the chair's movement. I would suggest that for the time being you have some one pushing you until you get the feeling of the chair." At Legolas' nod of agreement, Estel began to make their way slowly to the main door.
When they reached the top of the stairs that led down into the garden, the team moved into action once more. Glorfindel lifted one side of the chair while Elrohir took the other. Elladan held the wood that Legolas' legs were strapped to. Estel kept hold of the handles. With all taking a share of the weight they made their way slowly down the stairs onto the lush green lawn.
All afternoon as they made their way slowly around Rivendell, Legolas could not stop smiling, cheerfully replying to greetings and well wishes. But soon tiredness and pain began to niggle and it was with a lot of relief that he heard Glorfindel call it a day and the group made their way back to the Last Homely Home.
This pattern was continued for several weeks. The day's spent in the garden or watching his friends swim, whishing he could join them. During the afternoons he had physical therapy, consisting of passive movements and massage to prevent muscle wastage. It was hard and his legs hurt badly afterwards, but it had to be worth it in the end.
Legolas was also learning how to operate the chair and to Estel's amusement Legolas would practice every evening before the evening meal.
Another week passed since the day Legolas received his chair. Watching the rain fall in a sudden summer shower Estel and Legolas were content to watch the rain from Legolas' window. They were talking about archery and if Legolas would still be able to fire his bow from his chair, falling into the banter of old friends when the noise of hurried footsteps making their way down to Legolas interrupted them.
One short knock on the door was all they got before the door opened to reveal Elrond. For a moment no one moved, and then the room exploded to cries of "Adar your home!" Estel was quickly embraced, happy to be reunited once more. Still hugging Estel, Elrond made his way to the bed and the last and newest son.
"How are you, Legolas? I have been told your good news. How does it feel to be able to move around once more" Elrond perched on the edge of the bed.
"I can only move in the chair, Ada. But I suppose that that is an improvement. I can already push my self around." He was pleased to see the delight crossing Elrond's face. He desperately wanted Elrond's opinion and wanted him to be proud of him.
"That is wonderful news. You are already regaining strength. Now that I am back we can start on your more strenuous exercises. We need to get you moving your legs or your muscles will suffer."
Legolas swallowed his mouth suddenly dry with nerves. "If you think I am ready, when can we start?"
Why not start tomorrow morning?" At Legolas' eager agreement Elrond left the room to begin making arrangements for tomorrows first session.
Lordoftheringsfanatic11: Glad to know you like it. I really like the people who review both my stories, hint hint.
Estel-Elf-Lover: And I love you, in the strictly platonic way. I plan to.
Lady of the Twilight Woods: I thought a bit of fluff was in order. I have been getting darker in my other story so I thought it would balance out.
Knight Kenobi of Eryn Lasgalen: Glad to know that you think so. It is because of my beta Shell. I write a chapter and then it goes to her and she works a few miracles. If you like my writing go read the new story by MCross, it is good and I beta for her.
Makia Durron: bit of Fluff never hurt any body as anybody who knows me as a writer I love having a small amount of fluffiness in every story.
Legolas19: What can I say but thank you
Beling: Did you think that Elladan was a bit out of character, but I wanted to show that whilst the family all support Legolas, it may not be plain sailing.
Gozilla: And you do not have to
Sarah: I like a person who does not waste precious time on coming up with a screen name. Unless Sarah is a screen name.
Love
To you all and those who read but do not review but if you review I love you more.
And in case Mellon is reading that was not me fishing for reviews
Love
Meisalliam
