When the Snow Falls Red
Chapter 10: Messenger
Don't own.
A/N: Just for future reference, when I say silvery blood, I mean that the blood is red, but has a shiny, metallic look to it.
When Legolas awoke, he couldn't see anything. He blinked his eyes, and rubbed them, then realized he was lying on his stomach. There was a throbbing pain in his back. He moaned and put his face into the pillow.
He heard something nearby. He lifted his head up and listened. "Legolas?" The voice was soft.
"Is that you Náessë?" Legolas asked.
"Yes."
"Oh Náessë! You must believe me that I didn't shoot those arrows at you!" Legolas said, attempting to keep his voice low and failing miserably.
"I never suspected that it was you." She replied, her voice still low.
"Ada and Aranel did." Legolas said quietly.
"I know. Worry not, Legolas, for they will see that it was not you." She said in a quiet voice.
"Thank you Náessë." Legolas said, before his head rested down and he fell into sleep.
He did now know that in a small room adjacent to the Hall of Healing, there was much chaos. Lólindir, Uruviel, and Órelindë were scrambling about the room, trying desperately to save Valandil. A messenger had left many hours ago to find Lord Elrond.
In yet another room, Thranduil was sitting at his desk, holding his head in his hand. Across from him, Finwë was running his finger along the blunt edge of a dagger he carried. Aranel was pacing along side of the desk. No words were being said as they all prayed for Valandil's safe recovery.
3 days later...
Náessë had been moved to her own room, and Legolas's wound almost fully healed. He was now able to walk around once more. Náessë however, was recovering much slower. Legolas was constantly at her side, getting her whatever she wanted. She had always done so when he was hurt or sick, and now he was repaying what he owed to her.
Órelindë was slumped in a chair, her eyes glazed. Lólindir and Uruviel cast glances at each other. They had slipped some sleeping herbs into her tea. She had not slept at all in three days, and her face alone told them that she was tired. Her eyes were lined with dark purple, her eyes were bloodshot, her hair was astray, and the rest of her face was pale. Besides that, she would start mumbling to herself about nonsense things because she was so tired. It worried the two novice healers. Now that she was asleep, they could tend to Valandil.
However, the situation was getting worse every day. As Lólindir looked for a pulse, his heart quickened as he thought that the elf had none. To his relief, he found a very faint pulse. There was no denying it. Valandil was fading.
Thranduil and Finwë were nervous wrecks. They were so worried over their friends that their duties had been neglected. Aranel took over and went to find the trainer for the elflings, Camthalion. Someone had to take care of Finwë's duties, and he was the best elf to do it. His skills were nearly the same as Finwë's, and he had been in the service of the royal family for longer than Thranduil had been alive. Aranel knew he could be trusted to fill in for Finwë temporarily.
As silence lingered in the room, it was broken by shouts and a loud thud against the door to Thranduil's study. The occupants of the room turned to face the room, confused looks on their faces. Aranel moved to the door to open it, but as his hand reached for the handle, the door flew open, knocking the prince backwards. He landed on the stone floor.
"Ouch." He murmured, rubbing his backside. He looked up and saw a very dirty, very tired looking elf standing in the doorway. Behind him, there were three of the palace guards, each holding an arrow notched in the bow. When they saw the king, they lowered their weapons and backed away.
"What is the meaning of this!?" Thranduil roared, rising from his chair.
"Forgive me your highnesses." The elf said, bowing clumsily. "I have a letter from Lord Elrond! Urgent!" He cried. Thranduil stumbled forward and sntached the parchment from the elf's hand. He ripped the seal and he read the message.
Mellon-nin,
If Valandil really is as bad as you say, then he must be brought to Rivendell immediately. I would work better using my tools and my resources. Send your soldiers half way, to the mountain pass, and my soldiers will take over from there.
Elrond
Thranduil handed the message to Finwë, then hoisted the elf off the floor. The elf looked fearfully upon the king, who still looked infuriated. "Aranel." He called. The prince came forward.
"Yes Ada?"
"Take him to a room. Get him food and wine." Thranduil said. A look of relief passed over the messenger's face and he visibly relaxed. Thranduil smiled at the messenger, but it was quick, for he quickly left the room, almost flying down the hall.
Before long, Finwë was close on his heels.
Órelindë was glaring at her two novices, watching them tend to her patient. They had not yet noticed that she had awoken. Finally, Uruviel turned and saw her. "Oh! Órelindë." She said, smiling sheepishly. Órelindë raised an eyebrow at the girl.
"Would you care to explain as to why you two drugged me?" She asked.
"You were tired." Uruviel said. "Besides, you look much better now. Except..." She reached into a pocket of her dress and pulled out a brush. She handed it to the healer. Órelindë's eyes were angry, but a smile played on her lips. Uruviel smiled. She turned back to Valandil while Órelindë fixed her hair.
Legolas was walking through the halls to the Hall of Healing to retrieve the pain killing herbs when he was shoved forcefully out of the wall. He stumbled back against the wall. Turning quickly, he saw the retreating forms of his father and Finwë.
Thranduil had not spoken to Legolas since the day that Aranel attacked him. Nor had Aranel. Did they still believe that Legolas had attacked Náessë? They couldn't, but then again, he did just get pushed out of the way by his own father. Legolas said, and a single tear rolled down his cheek. He never thought anything like this would happen.
Lólindir was gathering fresh bandages from the Hall when the door flew open and Thranduil came rushing in, Finwë close behind. The king skidded to a halt and looked about the room. Órelindë was not present. Neither was Valandil.
"You there!" He called out, pointing to Lólindir. The novice nodded. "Where is Órelindë?" He asked. Lólindir pointed to a door that was slightly ajar. Thranduil started to go to it, but Lólindir, clutching the bandages, rushed to stand in front of the king. Thranduil stared down at him. "Let me pass." Lólindir shook his head. He turned and disappeared into the room. He gave the bandages to Uruviel then tugged Órelindë's sleeve. She looked at him. Lólindir pointed to the door.
"Someone's there?" She asked. Lólindir nodded. She left the room and came face to face with Thranduil. "What do you want, Thranduil?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Lord Elrond sends a message. We must get Valandil to Rivendell." Thranduil said. Órelindë nodded. She stuck her head back in the smaller room.
"Uruviel, Lólindir, get Valandil ready for transportation." They nodded and she pulled away, then brushed past Thranduil.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"To find a cart that will be suitable for his transportation. I can't have him bouncing around. Who knows what would happen then!" She cried out. The fear of Valandil fading was weighing on her. She couldn't tell Thranduil or Finwë. However, if he did fade, then the king would figure out that she knew. Who knows what they would lead to.
As she hurried down to the stables and the storage barns, she threw open the doors of the stables.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF VALAR??!!?!"
What a horrible place to end, huh? –cackles evilly- Sorry for the lateness. I wasn't feeling inspired.
Ugh, I took a two hour computer test today for school. It was horrible. Haha.
Reviewers:
leggylover4ever: I read fast when I like stories as well! Haha. I changed my pen name after I wrote The Bloody Sword and I haven't gotten around to changing it yet. Hehe. And writing it on this story is probably just from habbit. –shrugs- I'm glad you liked the flashback as well. I did too.
KissTheRainGirl12489: Indeed painful. I could never do it. I'm a chicken. Haha.
Aroswein: Well then. I'm glad you get pleasure out of people's pain! Haha. I'm just joking. It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... then it's hilarious!
Beling2: I'm really, really glad you liked the flashback! Haha. Yes, sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. Sometimes. Heh. There will be more Legolas later on. I promise! –crosses heart-
Later all-
Blue September Rain