Chapter 17: Two Awake!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings

Author's notes: Once again thanks for all your reviews!

The Elven Lords and Lorien's March Warden passed the night uneventfully, keeping watch over the unconscious or sleeping friends. This was what usually was in store for them after one of their hunting trips, a long night keeping watch for the injured.

Dawn came, and the sun came out pale in the early winter. Outside was cold, but not as cold as the other mornings when it had snowed. Already the snow was beginning to melt, as the temperature wasn't enough to keep it frozen.

The night had passed out uneventfully for the four friends. They had remained in their states, while some unconscious, others were sleeping the effect of the sleeping herbs.

Right now Glorfindel was keeping watch, while the others were in their rooms to at least get some proper rest. After all, the past days had been tiring as they had searched for them. Adding to that, they were also really tired, after nights of neglected sleep being worried for the well fare of their sons, or friends. All the night had been divided in shifts, allowing the others to rest at least a little. They welcomed all the rest that they could get.

Thranduil was the first to enter, and Glorfindel greet him "Good morning mellon-nín."

"Good morning Glorfindel" the king returned in a small whisper, trying not to wake his son and his friends. Then he added, again whispering "has there been any change in any of them?"

"No, unfortunately no. They are still sound asleep" Glorfindel responded. They both turned to the sound of footsteps, and they discovered that it was Haldir.

"Good morning my lords" he greet.

"Good morning Haldir" Thranduil said, and Glorfindel nodded his head in acquaintance.

Haldir glanced around, looking for any change in his friends' condition. They were as they had been last night.

After a few moments, Elrond also came in, and greeted everyone in the room. Then, he went to check them, one by one.

Elrohir had now his color returned; he no longer had that blue tinge of someone who has been out in the cold for too long and has developed hypothermia. Estel was still sleeping, and his fever was kept at bay. It was still present, but nothing too serious. At last he checked on Legolas.

Legolas was in a bad shape, still in the condition of yesterday. His skin was still pale, and he had lost too much blood. When he removed the bandages and checked the wound, he was relieved to note that it no longer bled. In fact, the bandage had no traces of blood whatsoever, meaning it hadn't bled during they night. Still, they would have to keep a close watch on it. His bruises were the same as yesterday, but with the proper rest, they would heal in no time.

He guessed that his three sons would be the first to wake, as the young Mirkwood Prince needed more time to recover, for his wound to properly heal.

After informing on their conditions to the rest who were awake, they decided to go for breakfast. Haldir offered to stay with his friends while the Elven Lords went to breakfast, arguing that he really wasn't much hungry. And so, Glorfindel, Elrond and Thranduil departed, leaving Haldir watching over his friends.

Elrohirwas feeling groggy. He didn't knew what had happened, then he realized that he was warm, not as cold as before. The softness below him made him feel he was in a bed, in a big comfortable bed. Finally some change from the hard, frozen ground.

Wait, frozen ground! Then it struck him. He, Elrohir, had been trapped in an avalanche, and had remained thus for Valar knows how long. But how come he was here, warm, instead of out on the frozen floor?

Another thought struck him. His arm. His left arm had pained him while he was still under the snow. He tried to move it, and realized he couldn't as it was heavily bandaged, and still hurt a little, not the intense pain he had felt earlier. He groaned out in pain.

His groan had alerted all the ones that were keeping close watch on the four friends, Elrond, Glorfindel, Haldir and Thranduil. They all turned to gaze at Elrohir, and Elrond made his way towards him. He called him gently, and shook his uninjured arm, the right one.

Elrohir knew he was being called by someone, so he tried to open his eyes. His eyelids felt really heavy, as if made of stone, so he tried again. This time he accomplished it, and he saw above him his worried father's face.

"What happened Ada" he said in a sleepy, raspy voice.

Elrond turned and grab the pitcher on the side table, and serve a glass of water. He gently grabbed Elrohir from the shoulders and lifted him up a little so that he could drink. After he finished the glass, Elrond lowered him again.

"You were trapped in an avalanche" Elrond gently explained.

"Yes, I remember lying there, trapped on the snow. Seems like I once again came carried by someone else while I was unconscious"

"Yes, indeed you have. Thranduil was the one who found you"

The Lord of Imladris just smiled at that. Once again they have failed to return home uninjured, or at least walking, carried by their own legs. Glorfindel, Thranduil and Haldir watch this with amusement and also with smiles on their faces.

It was true, how often those four had been carried in by someone else? It was always that those four went outside, always getting carried by others.

Elrohir also blushed at that. He had landed on one of their adventures once again, and he had been saved by non other than the King of Mirkwood nonetheless. Everyone saw this and they just broke out laughing merrily, happy to forget their problems for a while.

"Thank you King Thranduil"

"Your welcomed Elrohir, you scared us all again." And with that, Elrohir blushed even deeper than before. Thranduil couldn't help himself as he laughed once again. Soon everyone joined in.

That afternoon found the three friends asleep again. Elrohir had gone back to sleep as soon as he had had his breakfast. Elladan was already on his way to recovery as the wound was now poison free. This was confirmed by Elrond as he had checked them all again after the midday meal. Estel's fever was keeping at bay, but the only that worried him was Legolas.

The poor Mirkwood Prince was still far too pale, and the wound had been deep. But still, he was healing, albeit a bit slower than normally he would have due to the fact that he had lost too much blood.

It was in the evening when Elrohir choose to wake again. Now he didn't feel groggy, as he had a natural sleep, not one induced by sleeping herbs. He felt refreshed, and relieved, as he often felt after a good night's sleep in his own bed after going out on patrol.

Haldir offered to go the kitchen to fetch something for Elrohir, just a lithe meal. After he had gone, they heard a groan, and when they turned, they found out that Estel was awake, and was attempting to sit up and rest against the headboard.

Elrond quickly went to his aid, and he got the pillows in order so that Estel may be propped up against them. After Estel was settled, Elrond gently touched his forehead to know if there was still a fever. He found it just a little warm, the fever ever present, but it was raising, so he went to the herb's table, and prepared Estel a tea to keep the fever at bay. It would be some time before the fever fully disappeared, as well, a long time before they were all out of bed, and about pranking everyone else.

But still, two were up, now there were two more to go. Elladan making a quick recovery, whilst on the contrary, the Mirkwood Prince healing slowly, and fighting his way to remain among the living.

TBC...

Yes, I know, Legolas is still unconscious, as well as Elladan, but that seemed a good place to stop. But more is coming next week!

Response to reviewers:

Kerowyn Greenleaf: Thanks! I'm glad that you liked it! Legolas finally is in Rivendell, but, he still needs to wake up! Another update.

HarryEstel: Yes, it's always the same with Legolas, landing in trouble, and then he has the rest of his friends near him after the frightening moment he gave them. Thanks! I'm glad that you liked it! Have fun on your vacations!

Invisigoth3: Yes, they always end up in the Houses of Healing.

Pippinheart: Of the four, Legolas was the worst injured, and it will be a long time before they actually get out of the Houses of Healing! Thanks!

Slayer3: Good thing you will keep them out of trouble!

Reddleef: I also never had stitches, but I think that they must hurt! I hope never to have them shudder , yes, and Estel is only sick, at least not injured. Another update.

Elven shield maiden of the night: It must likely that Elrond and Thranduil will have them under their care for quite some time. Here is another update!