Hello everyone! Thank you for all of your kind reviews! The positive feedback doesn't just stroke my ego or make me write faster, it also makes me a better writer by helping me to know what you like. Of course, if there's anything you don't like, please let me know. In any case, we're only three chapters into this story and I'm enjoying it even more than the last one! It has an unexpected PLOT COMPLICATION! Muwahaha!
On the West Wind Sails the Gull
Chapter III
By NekoMegami_chan
Nekomegami_chan@hotmail.com
The twins returned from their errand practically on Estel's heels. Elrohir and Elladan joyously greeted their brother with an abundance of cheerful words and, after hastily setting aside the laden trays, an equal number of embraces.
Legolas laughed merrily at the sight, and Gimli rose from his stool to regard them with keen eyes. Elrond felt the weight of the last days lifted away.
"Forgive me for not gaining my feet to greet you properly," Legolas called from the bed, gesturing to his prone form with good humour, "however, I am regretfully indisposed. Come, let us take our ease over a hot meal and hear tell of your journeys, Aragorn and Gimli."
Breakfast was a simple affair. Conversation remained light and smiles were exchanged freely. Mithrandir joined those gathered in the Healing House and entertained them by manipulating the hearth fire so that pixies appeared; frolicking among the blazing logs, playing at hide and seek.
Elrohir sat at Legolas' elbow. So engrossed was he in helping the wounded prince to swallow a few spoonfuls of a mild chicken broth, that he barely noticed Estel taking up a chair beside him.
"You also need to eat," Estel said, setting a plate of bread and honeyed butter on Elrohir's lap. "You are thinner than I remember you; and paler also."
Legolas frowned slightly, the wizard's words still at the forefront of his thoughts. He had been selfish in allowing Elrohir to tend to him so faithfully when his own body's needs had been ignored. "He is right, Elrohir. You must not fuss over me when you too are not in full health."
Elrohir began to protest, only to have Estel shove a spoonful of porridge into his open mouth. Without further argument, Elrohir quickly complied by taking a generous bite of toast. He nearly groaned that the exquisite taste of the warm toast and its sweet, sticky topping. Now fully aware of his hunger he began to eat with a gusto and relish that would have put a Hobbit to shame – a fact that Gimli was quick to point out with a hearty chuckle.
When the food was gone, and the trays, plates and silverware stacked neatly on one table to be later removed by a servant, Mithrandir stood and set his tea cup aside. "If you will all please excuse an old man, I would fancy a walk before it begins to snow again. Elladan, would you care to accompany me?"
After receiving a reassuring nod from his twin, Elladan rose and gathered up his cloak from the rack beside the door. "I would be delighted to, Mithrandir," he said. Elladan could not remember a time when he had not gained in wisdom from walking with the wizard and never missed an opportunity to do so.
Elrond turned to Elrohir when they had gone. "I have run out of fresh athelas. Please go to the greenhouse on the west lawn and bring back some cuttings."
"I should prefer to remain with Legolas," Elrohir nearly reminded his father that his every moment with his love was as precious as the first breath of spring, yet he bit back his hasty words and instead sought to pass the chore on to someone else. "Father, I would very much prefer to remain here. Perhaps you could order one of your apprentice healers to fetch it…"
Elrond shook his head. "I dismissed them all yesterday in order that I might care for Legolas personally. Now go."
The Lord of Imladris' tone booked no further argument. Elrohir schooled his features into a carefully blank expression, rather than scowl as fiercely as he was inclined. He kissed Legolas tenderly upon the forehead before exiting the Healing House at a fast walk.
Elrond, Aragorn and Gimli were silent for a moment. Legolas spoke quickly, "There is something going on here that I am only half aware of. I feel it. You all keep secrets from me." He carefully scrutinized the others. "Gimli?"
"On my journey here, two of my companions were slain by orcs. We were ambushed just before dawn four days ago. We killed many, yet were harried until we reached the boarders of this realm," Gimli admitted.
Aragorn's expression grew grim. "I too encountered the foul creatures. My party took no casualties, but for the pack horse carrying our tents and extra rations. The orcs fell back quickly after their initial strike. I would have thought it to be mere coincidence that they ever came upon us, 'til they obviously sought to draw us into a trap. Their retreat was far too strategic." The ranger turned king sat back in his chair. "That was just yesterday morning. We had seen sign of their passing for several days prior, though thought little of it."
Elrond's eyes hardened and his lips tightened into a thin line. "The pattern is clear. Members of the fellowship have been targeted. Doubtless Mithrandir is already aware of this. We must warn the Halflings. Ere the hour has passed I will order a contingent of soldiers to travel to the Shire. They will watch over the Hobbits until we have found who is behind this."
Gimli growled in frustration. "Whoever is behind this cannot be very smart. Did they believe the members of the Fellowship so easily dispatched? Did they not think that we would be wise to their strategies?"
Legolas shook his head. His stare, which had been fixed upon the ceiling beams, found the dwarf's. "It is not so simple as that. This new threat seeks only to make his intentions known to us." Legolas paused for breath and when he spoke again his voice was noticeably weaker. He was tiring. "While it was an avalanche which caused my injuries, it was an orc attack which began the snow's decent. They knew where I would be when I crossed the mountains; a fact which leads me to the conclusion that our unknown enemy has been intercepting our correspondence."
While the human and the dwarf pondered the wisdom in Legolas' words and the consequences of his revelations, Elrond rose and moved to the prince's side. "How do you feel?" he asked.
"My mind remains sharp, yet my body is heavy and distant. I expect that the tea I drank with breakfast was treated?"
"Aye," Elrond affirmed. He turned to Estel and Gimli. "It is time. Elrohir will not be away much longer."
The king of Gondor hurried to Elrond's elbow and pulled back the bedclothes from Legolas' body. "I beg your pardon, Legolas. My lord Elrond has informed me that your condition is unsatisfactory. We have conferred and find it is necessary that your hip be re-broken in order to speed your healing."
"And you did not wish Elrohir to be present. I understand. I do not desire to upset him any further," Legolas said with sincere thankfulness.
Gimli knocked over his stool in his haste to stand in protest. "What is the meaning of this?"
Elrond gently pulled aside the blonde elf prince's night robe to expose the swollen and discoloured flesh. "If Legolas wishes to spend the remainder of his immortal days without a pronounced limp, we must set the bones more naturally. Gimli, I must have my full concentration and Legolas will need your help."
Seeing the wisdom in Elrond's words, the dwarf took up a firm stance. "How may I be of assistance?"
"Hold his hand and do not let go," Elrond directed, vaguely aware that Gimli did so without hesitation.
Legolas smiled gently up at his friend. "You look as if you were the patient, Master Dwarf! Your face is as pale as any elf-maiden's – if significantly more hairy!"
Gimli opened his mouth to reply when there came a resounding crack, swiftly followed by a second, and a third. Legolas' features contorted in pain and the prince cried out, a breathy moan that forced its way past his lips. The slender hand in his tightened like a vice; sweat gathered on the elf's fair brow.
All Gimli could see were two dark heads bent together on the other side of his friend's body. Elrond and Aragorn spoke softly and hurriedly. Then a final grating of bone on bone reached his ears, a disturbing sound which made Gimli's insides clench in sympathy.
The healers sat back on their heels and Aragorn passed a hand down his face. Legolas' agonized panting echoed through the nearly empty room. Elrond spilled his healing energies into the prince, encouraging the abused joint to maintain its new position.
Gently, his fingers shaking more than he would have thought possible, Gimli petted the elf's head, smoothing back the sunlight locks in a soothing gesture. Legolas was his dearest friend, a loyal companion who had ever presented himself as a pillar of strength; a comfort when no comfort seemed possible. Gimli prayed with feverish sincerity that his meagre actions would be enough.
"Legolas!" Elrohir cried from the open doorway. Panic reared up in his throat and he clutched the athleas cuttings to his chest, crushing them as he sprinted to Legolas' side. Squeezing past the dwarf, Elrohir cupped his beloved's cheek.
The scent of the athleas brought the prince some measure of awareness beyond the pain, and he found the strength to open his heavy eyelids. "All is well, Elrohir. Only – stay with me a moment." Legolas took a few deep breaths before continuing. "The others have spoken their minds. I would have you do so as well, ere I take my rest again."
Elrohir looked to his father, who nodded. "Estel, Master Dwarf," Elrond inclined his graceful hand to each. "You have journeyed hard and there is much yet to discuss. Please refresh yourselves in the chambers which have been prepared for you. I wish for you to join me in my study at your earliest convenience." The lord of Imladris left at once, his robes a storm of red silk about his ankles.
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I'm sorry this chapter was so late in coming! I've had a lot on my mind recently. In any case, I still didn't get in everything I had planned, but let me say this. There will be the long awaited Gimli-Thranduil confrontation next chapter!
And as always, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! Thanks! ^_^