Disclaimer: Please see chapter One
Chapter Nine
All was silent in the chamber. It was large and bright with large windows that let the sun (when it shone brightly) flood the room with its warm rays. Today, they were closed and a fire was crackling in the fireplace.
The room was full of light furnishings and had two large beds. One of these beds was currently occupied and held three beings. Two were sleeping but the third was wide awake and fearful. Wide brown eyes gazed around the room; he wished he were down in the healing rooms with the others. He hated being sent away like this, as if he were an Elfling.
Alcarnor sighed, he knew why his brother had done it, Legolas really did not need to see Lomion like this and he could feel Nolvo's pain even though his twin tried to hide from him. It did, and could, not work. They both felt the others feelings so much that it was in actual fact a wasted effort.
He glanced with fondness at his sleeping twin. Nolvo was still pale and had faint pain lines around his mouth. The brown eyes were open and glazed as he wondered in Elven sleep. He needed this, this would help him heal all the faster.
Alcarnor himself would never forget the feeling of fear and utter desolation he had felt when the Orc had struck his brother. How could he forget that? He could not stop the slight shudder that shook his frame.
Thankfully his worst fear had not been realised. It was something that he hoped he never would realise.
Legolas snuffled in his sleep, his little nose wrinkling as he dreamed. Alcarnor pulled him further into his embrace. This was another fear that they would be loosing his youngest brother. It was also coupled with a healthy dose of guilt. They had all been so involved with the growing darkness that was surrounding them that no one had noticed that Legolas was struggling. How could he have failed to notice that the bright, sparkling Elfling had become so withdrawn and silent?
No, he promised himself that if he had to he would fight tooth and nail to stop this from going further than it already was.
"I love you, Leafie we will not let you go so easily." He brushed the loose hair from the small pale face. "You will stay with us, nothing will happen to you."
A gentle knocking on the chamber door made him look up, he called quietly for who ever it was to come in and the door opened. Neither of his brothers stirred.
He smiled as Michelle made her way into the room. The motherly look on her face made him smile. "They both look so sweet." Her voice was soft and gentle. "Legolas sleeps with his eyes closed?"
"Yes, he always has done. What can I do for you, Michelle?"
"I have come from the healing chambers. Elardion has said that if you wish to you can see Lomion now as he is resting."
"That is wonderful news, thank you. I will wake these two and come down." Alcarnor's smile was wide.
"Good, I am going to pick Estalado up from school. I want to let him know that his Ada is unhurt." With another smile at Legolas and Nolvo she left the chamber.
It was a little while later that Nolvo and Alcarnor left the chamber, they had both changed their clothes and freshened themselves up. Dealing with Legolas had been harder than either of them had thought. The Elfling had not wanted to waken up and had been very grouchy. Rather than continue to badger the Elfling they had decided to wait until he had fallen back to sleep.
With Legolas fast asleep in his arms and his twin beside him they left the chamber and made their way down to the Halls of Healing.
Their father looked up with a smile as he greeted them. The smile faltered a little as he noticed the still sleeping Elfling as they entered the large chamber.
"He did not want to waken, Ada we did try. He was very unhappy." Alcarnor handed Legolas to his father.
"Has he slept all afternoon?" Thranduil was surprised; Legolas had not been sleeping well recently.
"Yes, Ada but then so has Nolvo." Alcarnor could not help but tease.
"You are looking better, Nolvo." Elardion sounded pleased as he joined them.
"I feel better, Elardion thank you for your help earlier." Nolvo could not help but smile as he remembered his warnings.
"That is what I am here for, Gwador." He turned his attention to his father. "Ada, there are some rumours of causalities coming in…" Elardion broke off as he noticed that Legolas was sleeping in his fathers arms.
He quickly crossed to his father's side. "How long has Legolas been sleeping like this?" His serious tone caught everyone's attention.
"All afternoon, I thought he was just tired." Alcarnor answered.
"He slept for most of the time this morning as well. Why, Elardion is there something wrong?" Thranduil felt his worry rise once more.
"I am not sure; can you please find Lord Elrond for me, Nolvo?" He reached out to take Legolas from his father.
Legolas made no sound and did not even stir. "Leafie, do you want to see Lomion?"
There was no answer as Elardion brushed the pale hair from the small face. He had to hide his wince as he felt just how cold his youngest brother was. He reached behind him for a thick blanket.
"Legolas, can you wake up for me?" Elardion felt his worry grow as the Elfling did not move. "We need to get him nearer to the fire." The move was swiftly completed.
They had just settled and Elardion was once again trying to wake Legolas once more as Elrond hurried into the chamber followed quickly by Nolvo and Elrond's three sons.
"What is wrong?" Elrond hurried to Elardion's side.
"We cannot waken him; he has slept most of the day. He is very cold as well." The two of them gently lifted Legolas between them and made their way over to the bed next to Lomion. Thranduil and the others quickly joined them, hovering in the back ground.
They could only watch as the two healers began their examination.
Thranduil watched every move that they made; even so he was aware of Timethla as he hurried over to him.
"Sire, Mithrandir and the patrols will be arriving shortly. There have been heavy casualties." He too was watching as his only sons small friend was looked over by the healers.
"How bad is it?" Thranduil's voice was soft.
"Two dead and five injured two seriously. It appears that Mithrandir had his wish answered and he met the Spider's." Timethla gave a small smile that did not reach his eyes.
"Is he one of the injured?" Thranduil was worried for his old friend.
"It appears not, Sire. I think there may be quite a tale to tell. Is the Prince alright?" The young warrior finally had to ask.
"I do not know." Thranduil could be none other than honest. At this point in time he did not know if Legolas was going to be alright.
Finally the two healers pulled back. Elardion turned to his father. "He is sleeping very deeply, Ada. It is tied in with his fading we think…"
"You think?!" It was Nolvo who surprised them all by speaking out.
"Yes, we think, Nolvo. This is not something with which we can deal with certainty. He will waken, but these sleeps will become longer until he never wakes again." Elardion's voice was sad.
"Well then it is a good job that that will not happen!" The voice from behind them sounded incredibly cheerful. They all turned to find a very tired and dirty Mithrandir watching them from the chamber door. He was covered in dirt and the odd piece of web. He was also splattered with dark spider blood.
"Mithrandir, are you injured?" Elrond had moved to his side.
"No, Elrond, but some of my patrol were. The spiders gave us quite a fight!" The Maia moved into the room and following him was the remnants of the two patrols. The healers in the chamber quickly moved to help as did the Elleth's led by Michelle.
"What happened and what do you mean about it being a good job that Legolas' fading will not happen?" Thranduil had not moved from Legolas' side.
"I had a rather interesting talk with the leader of the Spiders. She has been sent here to gather a rather interesting Elf for her master. She told me that this Elf has the ability to talk to the spiders and knew when they were about."
"Legolas, it can only be Legolas." Estel breathed from his place by the fire.
"Yes, as you say it can only be Legolas. She also said that because of that fact he would have to be silenced. This may be what she meant. May I look at him?" Mithrandir crossed to the bed with a speed that surprised them all.
Thranduil watched as the Maia sat beside the Elfling and gently brushed his forehead. They all watched in silence as the Old Wizard frowned and then began to mutter under his breath in the Grey Tongue. Only Elrond and Thranduil were close enough to try and follow what the wizard was saying. They were glad that the others were ignorant. Only Lomion could have understood this fully.
When he sat back he looked pleased. "That will help. There was a powerful magic being levelled at him to cause this deep sleep." He turned to Thranduil. "You will need to watch him at all times; the attack could come at any time. She got away from us in all of the excitement I am afraid. We will meet again and she will not get away so lightly. We managed to kill a lot of her minions today. She will not be feeling as confident now." He stood and brushed himself down with a frown.
"He will waken shortly and he will be hungry. In the meantime I am going to go and bathe and get rid of this filth." With that he swept from the chamber.
"I feel that there is a tale here that we are missing." Elrond's voice fairly throbbed with laughter.
"Indeed, we will learn of it in time." Thranduil looked up as Timethla made his way back over to them.
"Sire, Fingloran would like to give you his report?" The young Elf looked as interested as they all did.
"Good, bring him here, Please." Thranduil would not leave either of his son's side.
The patrol leader quickly stepped forward with a deep bow. "Hir Nin."
"You have your report for me?"
"Yes, Sire. We went as instructed into the forest and as you reported there was a great evil there. Mithrandir spoke with the leader of the spiders." This strong, long term warrior actually shivered at the memory. "She was truly evil. I have never seen such a big spider in all my years, her voice was pure hate. I have never seen anything like it."
"I can well believe that. What happened?" Thranduil was stroking Lomion's hair the fear of loosing his eldest son still far too fresh.
"Mithrandir." The voice was almost reverent as he spoke.
"What do you mean?" Thranduil turned calm eyes to him.
"Mithrandir happened. He spoke with the spider and then he actually threatened her! She said that she would make him suffer before he died and provided food for her children. He told her he was too tough for her!" Fingloran could still not believe that he had actually heard that.
"He would be as well!" Elrond could not help but chortle at the image this had given him. Even Thranduil smiled, they had both had far too many dealings with the wily Maia in the past.
"Then he told her that he would make sure that she never finished her job that she had been given. She told him he stood no chance with her as he was just an old man. That was when he revealed who he was and the fight began. I did not see her slip away, I was too busy fighting and Mithrandir! I have never seen one so old fight so well. He was everywhere. I never once saw him in trouble; I think he personally slaughtered most of the spiders. He was incredible, absolutely incredible."
"Most of the spiders were killed?" Thranduil openly smiled this time, he had fought with the wizard during the battle of the Five Armies and he knew all too well how Mithrandir fought and it was awe inspiring.
"Yes, Sire some of them did get away but they were injured. I will arrange that some of the other patrols sweep past the hive and make sure that any that survive the night are eradicated."
"Good, please do. For now, get some rest, you have had a busy day and deserve it. Are you injured?" Thranduil had just noticed the silver red blood on his sleeve.
"Just some scratches, they are nothing, Sire." Fingloran hurried to reassure the King.
"They have been seen to?" Thranduil continued to press.
"Yes they have, thank you." This was typical of Thranduil always worrying about his subjects.
"Good, go and get some rest and give my regards to your wife." Thranduil smiled at the other Elf.
"Please give my regards to Prince Lomion when he wakens? I look forward to serving with him again soon." He bowed once more and left the chamber.
Thranduil sat back with a sigh. This complicated thing's even further; the spiders were after Legolas for some reason. Why did they have to target Legolas? Why was it always Legolas?
"Are you alright, Mellon-nin?" Elrond's hand softly patted his shoulder.
"Yes, just tired. It has been a hard past few days." Thranduil tiredly rubbed his eyes.
"You should get some rest. I will stay with Legolas and Lomion. I am sure that Estel and the twins will stay with me." He looked at his sons who nodded their agreement.
"The others can rest; I want to be here when they waken." Thranduil would not leave them until he had spoken with them both.
"Very well, if I cannot persuade you; what I can do is supply some beds so that you can at least rest." Elrond watched the reactions of the royal family and had to smile when they all glowered at him. They really were like peas in a pod.
"I will not take no for an answer. And before you say anything Elardion, you are too involved and far too close to Lomion and Legolas for me to let you carry on with their direct care at present. When they are both awake, that is different; but as I am here it only seems fair on all of you." While Elrond had been speaking, his sons had been arranging the other beds so that they were together.
No sooner had they settled than Lomion groaned slightly. Thranduil was by his side within a blink of an eye, only to be disappointed when he settled once more.
He sat back feeling oddly disappointed, he had hoped that at least one of them would wake up soon. It seemed it would not be so.
He slumped back so tired that he could not really believe it. A hand holding a goblet appeared within his line of sight and he looked up to find Elardion smiling down at him with sympathy.
"I thought this might help you to relax. The others have fallen asleep."
As he took the goblet he turned to find that Nolvo and Alcarnor had curled up together and was asleep on one of the beds.
"Good, they are both tired. Nolvo is still healing." Thranduil could not help the soft smile as he looked at them both.
"Yes he is. But you need to rest too, Ada." Elardion picked up his own goblet, looking around the quiet healing chamber. Only one of the Elves from the patrol had been kept in the chamber, the other had sadly passed into Mandos Halls an hour earlier.
"I will, later." He looked up as Elrond followed by his sons entered carrying trays of food and he realised that he was very hungry. The morning meal seemed to be so long ago and his stomach rumbled making Elardion laugh.
The meal was quickly served and as they began to eat Thranduil noticed that Legolas moved his head towards them, he stopped moving, waiting to see if he would wake. He remembered what Mithrandir had said about the Elfling being hungry when he woke.
As he watched the tiny nose gave a delicate sniff, then another. It was then that the King realised he was not the only one; everyone else had halted and watched Legolas as he slowly woke up.
Bleary blue eyes looked up at him and he gave the first real smile that Thranduil had seen in what seemed like forever. "Ada."
Two thin arms lifted up towards him and Thranduil deserted his meal to be with his youngest son.
"I am here, Little Leaf all is well." He could not help the tears that filled his eyes as he took a deep breath of the essence that was his baby. He looked up to see that he was not the only one with tear filled eyes.
"You came back; I was so worried about you." Legolas returned the hug eagerly.
"Thanks to you we are all alright, Legolas. Thank you for warning me of Lomion's peril." Thranduil could only smile at the Elfling.
"Lomion is alright?" Legolas turned to find his eldest brother and when he saw him lying so still he was scared. "Lomion is hurt." Blue eyes brimmed with tears.
"Shush, he will be alright. He is just sleeping." He turned concerned eyes towards Elrond.
"Legolas, can you remember what happened to Lomion?" Elrond settled in front of the Elfling.
A tiny nod was his answer. "Nasty spider, she was hissing at him and wanted to eat him." The shudder shook his tiny frame.
"She did not succeed. Mithrandir and I made sure of that, but it was because of you that this happened. How are you feeling, Little One?" Thranduil could not stop hugging the Elfling.
"Tired, but I alright." This last as he realised that his father looked worriedly at him. "Hungry."
"Then you need to have some food. Come with me and you can have some of mine until we get you a plate." He carried Legolas back to his seat and the abandoned meal. Legolas looked around with wide alert smiles taking in the others who were present.
Thranduil did not have to wait long for a plate of food for his son, Elardion supplied it almost immediately and it contained all of Legolas' favourites. Within the minute Legolas was tucking into his meal with more gusto than they had seen in a while all the time talking with Estel none stop.
Thranduil was a little stunned at his sons change. His gaze turned to Elrond who looked to be as stunned as he was. Elardion was actually openly gaping, at his youngest brother. Nolvo and Alcarnor were trying to hide their laughter. Elladan and Elrohir had given up on that a while ago and were laughing their own meals all but forgotten.
Legolas said nothing as his plate was piled high once more, he was so hungry. When had food last tasted this good?
"This must be what Mithrandir meant about a powerful magic being levelled at Legolas." Elrond's voice was quiet and thoughtful.
"Could that have been the cause of his fading?" Thranduil wanted to desperately believe that this was almost over.
"Not all of it, but it would have contributed. The underlying problem is still there and it still needs to be addressed. This certainly would not be helping, imagine having evil whisper in your dreams. It must have been so frightening for him."
"Aye and I did nothing to help him." Thranduil's voice was self deprecating.
"But you are here for him now and that is what matters to Legolas. Enjoy this for tonight. We can worry about the future tomorrow. For tonight you have your Legolas back, thank the Valar for that." Elrond was smiling widely at the King.
"You are right, Mellon-nin. For tonight I have my baby Leaf back and to see him eating like this." Thranduil was now smiling widely and it became larger as Legolas turned to him with a wide bright smile, blue eyes dancing in the candle light.
The evening was jolly, with Legolas charming every one. Finally though the others all settled and soon most of them were sleep with the exception of Elrond, Thranduil and Legolas.
Elrond was checking Lomion out just after midnight with Legolas and Thranduil watching when Legolas spoke up very quietly.
"Ada, will Sslina becoming back?"
"Leafie, who is Sslina?"
"She is the nasty spider, she say she come for me. I am glad that she is not here. I do not like her she scares me." Legolas' eyes were wide.
"Legolas, when have you been talking with her?" Thranduil knew he had to ask as much as he really did not want to.
"In the night, she speaks to me in my dreams. She says that she will take me away and make you go with Nana. I told her you would not leave me. You will not go will you, Ada?" They could see the fear now.
"No, Legolas I will never leave you, none of us will to the best of our abilities and Mithrandir has scared Sslina away, so she will not come back to you." Thranduil did not dare take his eyes away from Legolas.
"Good, no nasty dreams? I cannot hear the trees any more. They were nasty too. I can only hear my friends again." Happiness shone once more from those azure eyes.
"Good, Leafie they are the best kind." Elrond could not help but smile at his friend; he really was a wonderful father. Yet deep down was the worry that he and Mithrandir would have to spoil this perfect family with the news that Legolas was not the King's son. He just hoped that the family could cope with that bombshell. He could also hope that their friendship would last the fallout. He would hate to loose this.
"Ada, can I go to school tomorrow?" Legolas was trying to hide his yawn.
"Do you feel well enough to?" Thranduil rocked the Elfling in his arms.
"Yes, Ada I miss my class. Please?" How could he say no to that? Thranduil looked over at his friend for support and Elrond nodded his agreement.
"Thank you, Ada I love you." This time the yawn could not be missed.
"I love you too, Leafie. Now sleep, I will be here with you." He began to gently hum under his breath smiling as the Elfling's eyes closed and he fell into restorative sleep.
It was Estel who took Legolas to school that morning with a very happy but puzzled Estalado. He had never seen Legolas this happy and it was a little disconcerting.
The Elfling's never noticed that they were being discreetly followed by some of the King's own personal guards.
Once the pair was safely in Rallina's care Estel promised to collect the pair at the end of school and left the chamber as he passed the Elves he exchanged pleasantries with them pleased that Legolas was being guarded. Despite the King's words of the night before Sslina was still at large and her primary target was Legolas.
Rallina welcomed Legolas back into the class, pleased to see the Prince looking better and brighter than she had ever seen him.
She did not notice that the other Elfling's were casting the little Prince surreptitious looks. All morning, every now and again they glanced at him. Gilrone would kick Velslin under the table, their plan was well in place and at the mid morning break they would be speaking with the Prince.
They could hardly wait. This was going to be such fun.
Rallina dismissed the class so that they could go and play out in the courtyard. She had asked Estalado to stay back as she needed to talk with him about his reading. She smiled as they watched Legolas skip happily from the chamber his bag of Cookies safe in his hands.
The guards were smiling at the sight of the happy Elfling Prince, this had been missed. They were about to follow when they were stopped by Drowlin asking about Lomion. They did not notice when Legolas was surrounded by the other Elfling's in his class.
Legolas was going to go and sit under his tree and wait for Estalado, he had just left the door of the palace when he was surrounded by the other Elfling's. Something about the way that they stood told him that they were not happy with him.
He stood nervous as they moved in closer around him. Gilrone and Velslin were directly in front of him and he really did not like the way that they smiled at him. It reminded him of Drowlin.
"Well, well, well if it is not the little 'Prince'. Decided to come back to class did you?" Gilrone's voice was snide and sent chills down Legolas' spine and he could hear the trees as they called their distress to him. His friend the Birch tree told him that he would call for Lomion or his father and to hold on. Then they were blocked out as the other Elfling's crowded him further.
"We need to have a word with you Princeling."
Then there was no where that he could go to.
To be continued
Thank you to all our wonderful readers and reviewers.
Replies to reviews:
Hanna M: I can just imagine a hyper Legolas, having seen a caffeine high cat! Please don't ask!!! I would love the paint ball milkshake and would pay to see that!!
Triptych: It does, doesn't it?
Astalder27: Oh yes, nasty spiders!
Bradleigh: Very, very handy. I love writing him he is such fun. There will also be more to come….
Pointy-eared-elfs: Thank you. One review per week would be fantastic, just work hard at school is all we ask. Yep, will he never learn? The spiders? shudders this came about after I was terrorised in my bedroom by one massive one. It was bigger than the glass that I was using to catch it so that I could let it out. It was Huge. I knew that if I left it in the room I would not get any of the little sleep I normally have. Then it hit me. Talking spiders and I never slept a wink after that! LOL.
SaphireCat: Go Gandalf!!! Spidey hunting!!!!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: When ahs that ever stopped him? We all know how this ends as well. Sigh, nasty Dwowlin.
Alatariel Narmolanya: You know you are right. I never realised. Do Elves get PMT? LOL. He will be behind them and having them do his dirty work. Sigh. I'm glad you like the spider conversation. That w as how I wrote it speaking it aloud to make sure that I had it the way I wanted it. More Estel coming up and yes there was a reason, you will have to see.
LittleCrazy1: Thank you!
Dark Borg Drone: ADG of D? Almighty death glare of Doom. Thank you!
Moonshine44: Thank you we are honoured you compare us. I will be reading them have no fear. Number one? Wow, thank you.
Manwathiel: Sorry, yep cliffies Hugs. We are glad that you like this series and we already have an idea for the next one. Or at least I (Shell) have. Could Drowlin ever get better? Watch those knives; they may come in handy one day.
Angelbirs12241: I think he has rationalised it that if others do his dirty work it cannot be caused by him. Twisted I know.
Well that's it for know. Until next time.
Love,
Mei, Shell and the Gang