"Risk of Yesterday"
Elven references Ada Father/Dad Mithrandir Gandalf
Chapter 19 -
Gandalf jumped up and was about to stun the elf into silence, but Elrond stopped him. Already people were alerted to Legolas's presence, and an elf statue in the middle of the doorway would of course be inconspicuous. The elf, as predicted, dropped the plates of food with a loud clatter and ran to the throne room, yelling about the Prince's return the entire way.
"And there goes some of our secrecy." Gandalf muttered, puffing on his pipe, which he now craved for a little peace of mind.
Looking very dejected, Elrond sank into a chair with a groan. "That is the least of our troubles my friend. Thranduil will probably immediately send a..." As if on cue, one of Thranduil's servants came running up to the room pretending to be official. "...messenger."
The Elf bowed to Lord Elrond and Mithrandir and leaned over to see into the door of the room where Legolas was laying and gave a bow to him as well. "King Thranduil requests Prince Legolas's presence immediately."
Above the irritated buzz this created among the elves in the room, Elrond stood up. "He can barely rise let alone arrive in front of your king. Tell him he is not well enough."
"Begging your pardon sir, but Thranduil said he must come, injured or no." The elf showed no sign of backing, so Gandalf dragged the fuming Elrond back into a corner of the room to talk.
With sad eyes and a hesitant grin, Gandalf patted the elf on the shoulder. "My friend, it would be best if Legolas went. We do not need Thranduil in a rage, it only gives the wizard more power." Elrond immediately started arguing the state of his patient. "I know his state, and I believe I can at least abate some of his pain while he goes."
"It'll still undo necessary healing to the muscles- it simply cannot be done. I will not allow it." Elrond practically shouldered past Gandalf to give the messenger a piece of his mind.
"Elrond!" Elrond did stop at the wizard's authoritative tone. "I know it pains you. But it would be best for all of Mirkwood, not to mention Legolas himself, if he was forced to go."
"Forced! Legolas will be forced nowhere, if he goes it will be of his own free will..." Too late did Elrond note his blunder. He had given his permission for Legolas to go, as long as it was by his will, and of course Legolas would choose to go! Turning to face the young elf, he found Legolas sitting up with Aragorn's help, with nothing but eagerness to obey his father. "Fine!" Elrond shouted, "Let Mithrandir infect you with his narcotic, but if your body breaks down beneath you and your injuries open, it's on your own head!" Legolas flinched back slightly, sending a spasm down his right side, and as he moved his arm instinctively to comfort his aching side, he felt his own weakness with surety. Perhaps Lord Elrond was right. Perhaps he could not do this.
Not wishing to leave the wizard out in his blame, Elrond reared on him in a way that would have made men quake. "And may it be on your head as well!" Elrond took a deep breath to calm himself before addressing the wizard again, quietly. "I know it's not Thranduil nor your own fault, but logic be enflamed, I will blame you both."
"Ehem." Elrohir interjected, having seen his father this angry before and deciding it was not a... safe environment. "Perhaps we should go with him."
Mithrandir raised a large eyebrow at the young one's suggestion. "To do that would mean a certain confrontation with Thranduil."
Legolas responded first, not about to let something so dangerous happen. "To do so would forfeit all of your plans," He said with some surety. "It's a chance you can't take."
"Unless we're ready." Replied Elrohir. "Everyone's been talking about the need to hurry, and then when we have a chance, we're all stalling. I'd prefer doing this and making sure Legolas is not hurt. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're all scared." Elrohir said with a small smirk.
There were many protests from varied people in the room, but Aragorn did not respond, but stood staring at Legolas while the comment was being made. He was scared, terrified really. Not for himself, or because he was facing an elf who's mind was not entirely his own (quite the scare, to be sure), but for Legolas. Had this been the human's situation, he would surely not like to see an all out assault against his father. Indeed, after being reunited now with his foster father, he was starting to realize just why Legolas was having such a hard time believing his father had been at least somewhat possessed. No matter what Elrond had done, Aragorn would always defend him, it's natural.
"It is not a thing to be ashamed of, being frightened. Indeed, it shows you have not enlarged your head quite as much as this numbskull." And with that comment, Gandalf hit Elrohir lightly over the head with his staff. Ignoring Elrohir's shout of surprise and irritation, he continued. "Though he might have gotten something right for once. We shall all go with Legolas. I assume, Elrond, you'll find this a little more acceptable? Not that I'm afraid of YOU."
"That is at least a small concession. Come Legolas, we shall all go to the grave together." The elf lord said in a teasing matter, while aiding Legolas to his feet with Aragorn. Having been in bed for quite long enough already by his standards, Legolas was attempting to practically jump to his feet, which of course caused another shudder of pain, easily felt by Elrond and Aragorn. "Easy, Legolas! You'll have time enough to be standing on your feet soon. Can't believe we're letting you... ridiculous... should be in bed, not running around fighting wizards..." Elrond's mumbling became more and more incoherent as the elf lord's mind ran around in circles, listing all the reasons the injured stay in bed.
With a smile, Legolas slowed himself down to almost a snail's crawl, earning an amused snort by Aragorn and a mild complaint from Elrond about his still too-hasty speed. Obviously, anything but staying still was much too fast in his book. Being so... earnestly cared for did not irritate Legolas in the least. Rather, he found their care very touching, not something he received often in his own home, but something he was familiar with due to his many stays at Rivendell. Once he had successfully stood, and had gained enough balance to stand without his elven and human supports, he made the embarrassing mistake of taking a step forward. In a moment's surge, Legolas was falling to the ground, his leg apparently agreeing with his side as to the disgust of movement. Luckily for the normally quick-reflexed wood elf, his supports were there to once again catch him.
"Now do you see the problem?" Elrond turned, a very even 'I-told-you-so' face staring at Gandalf.
Before the wizard could respond, Aragorn had Legolas standing again, swinging Legolas's arm over his shoulder. "Come now ada, it wouldn't be hard for Elladan and I to be crutches for Legolas."
"Why not me?" Cried Elrohir, threatening Aragorn to say Elladan was the stronger of the twins."
"You," Aragorn said with the same apathetic face Elrond had attempted to give Gandalf, "must fight a wizard. I and Elladan have no idea how to. Therefore, we shall hold up the dead weight here." As expected, Legolas was quite strong enough to smack him lightly over the head for that comment. With grumbles, Elrohir stomped over towards Gandalf and let Elladan step in and take Legolas's other arm.
Gandalf looked between them all, and turned towards the door exiting the guest area. "Off we go then, if no one has anymore complaints." Surely enough, there was some grumbling behind him, mostly from two slightly offended Noldor elves, but no one stopped Gandalf as he marched right out of the door and into the hall, starting the very odd procession. First Gandalf, then Elrohir, the Legolas being semi-carried by Elladan and Aragorn, and finally Lord Elrond, taking the last spot.
Even walking accompanied was painful for Legolas, who had opted against the narcotic, not exactly trusting himself not to over exert himself and ruin Lord Elrond's hard work. So with every step he felt clearly his still healing ribs and other serious injuries he had assumed he had. For the life of him, he had no idea what exactly he was going to do when he first saw his father. Would all Gandalf and Lord Elrond said just prove to be a misunderstanding, or a lie? That would be an interesting picture to paint, with the great Lord of Rivendell and the Grey Pilgrim attempting to free the Elven King from an evil wizard manifestation he didn't have.
Or on the worse side, what if they said was correct? What would he do? Walk up to his father and ignore everything that had been said, wishing to keep him the same rather than chance any hurts that may come from ridding him of this wizard? It still seemed to strange to be believable, the fact that his own father had been taken over. he had always been a good king, as shown by the fact Mirkwood yet stood, and he'd always been a steadfast leader. He made wise rulings among his people, though he had adopted some odd fascinations. And, his actions towards Legolas ignored, he would seem nothing but quirky to Gandalf, at least nothing to be worried about.
Legolas gave a sharp hiss as he was jarred from his thoughts by a small stair, which he had not seen and therefore fell slightly more than he'd expected, making the landing a little harsh on his leg. Be the Valar, he hadn't been paying attention, and something had to be wrong with him if he didn't even know the way around his own house! Running footsteps were heard by all, and suddenly a guard came running down the hall, alerted by the noise. Legolas's eyes grew wide as he heard the elf approach, not knowing whether his father had ordered him to come alone and anyone else be taken, or maybe just to fetch him and all the others and throw them in the dungeon, and the orders to arrive had only been a decoy for his plot. He was more than slightly relieved when he saw it was Dincaran, a long time friend of his, and a high ranking warrior in the guard. If all else failed, he could persuade him not to alert the others.
When Dincaran saw the others with Legolas, it put him in a hard position. He had been ordered not to allow anyone but the prince travel down the hall, but as it looked now, the prince was in bad shape, and needed help getting to the king. "I... I had orders you're supposed to come alone, my prince." Dincaran whispered, not risking alerting the other guards if he needn't.
"I need their aid Dincaran. Please do not stop us, or call for others." Dincaran still looked torn as to what to do, to follow the king's order or the prince's. "Please Dincaran, if you have ever cared for me, let us pass." Try as he might, Dincaran could not ignore a request such as that.
"I will call off the hall guards and give you free passage to the throne room. No one should bother you." With a bow to all in attendance Dincaran ran ahead to signal all the guards into the far corridor, away from the throne room.
Gandalf raised his eyebrows and smiled at Legolas. "Well, at least you have friends in the right places. On we go, then. At least the trip to Thranduil won't be a hardship. But after that... I worry." He added as he regained his marching stride. "On to Thranduil."
REVIEWS-Hand Dr. Pepper to all-
kurafoxgirl: HEY! lol- it is a useful phrase though. Everyone needs to curse in elvish from time to time . Hmmm... what do you suppose is soon... lol. Thanks!
Seylin-sigh with floaty hearts- Oh yes, Hugo IS oh so handsome. I simply love love love Hugo Weaving, I was cracking up with your "Caunoiech... we've been waiting for you." line. Sorry for keeping you waiting so long! ;;;
Invisigoth3: LOL, sweet name. Does it mean something other than what I'm thinking? Cuz if so, it's funnier my way XD. Lol, nevermind. Well here it is for you!
Deadly Chakram: You know, you update a lot. I mean, a lot a lot. I mean, I wish I could go as fast as you a lot. Heh, you ARE the ruler of the cliffies! If nto,t hen your muses are! I don't know about awesome, but I'll attempt to keep up the mediocre work! Hehe, thanks.
Snow-Glory: Oh junk. You're waiting for their meeting? Well... then I have to make it good! I can't take this pressure! AHHHHHHH! Hehe. I suppose I better get ont hat for you then . Thanks for the review!
washow: Sorry... not done yet... two or so more chapters. Then done.
WHEEEE! Done-hands Dr. Pepper to all then drinks one to self- Happy almost brithday to me!