Disclaimer: Not ours. Sob.
Chapter five
Glorfindel led the search. It was a far wider search of the Last Homely House. More of the servants had been roped into help. They had all split off into groups so that they could search all the more faster.
Estel and the twins were searching the first floor, Mithrandir and Glorfindel the ground floor. Some of the servants had decided to check outside, just in case.
Elrond had made the hard decision of staying where he was; on the off chance that if the small Prince was still in the house he may make it back to the warm study. It also gave him the chance to see to Ventalion's wounds. They were minor, thankfully.
Once he had finished and sent the other Elf reluctantly to sleep, only on the condition that as soon as there was any news he was to be woken. That left Elrond to his own devices. He had plenty of work that he knew he should be getting on with, but he could not concentrate. He could hear the calls of the others as they searched for Legolas.
Glorfindel and Mithrandir were making good progress along the ground floor, each chamber had been searched and they had come up empty. The Balrog Slayer was worried about the small Elfling, if what he had heard was true then he must be very frightened.
He had just reached for the door to another large chamber when he froze in place. There was something not right about the corridor. He looked around trying to discern just what it was that had caught his attention.
There at the bottom of the long corridors were the large, voluptuous velvet curtains that both the twins and Estel had loved to play with as children. Instead of being hung smoothly as the Elleth's liked them to hang they were hanging down off their ties. The material was pooled at the bottom of the floor.
Glorfindel smiled, he had just found one Elfling's hiding place. They should have thought to look there! He caught Mithrandir's attention and with a small shared smile, they made for the curtains.
Speaking softly, Glorfindel moved the curtains aside only to feel major disappointment. The small area behind the curtains was empty. It was Mithrandir who spotted the open window and with his usual curiosity looked out.
The sight was breath taking; more snow had fallen and was untouched on the area of the balcony that he was looking at. The height of the window would be perfect for the Elfling to climb. His sharp eyes wandered across the balcony halting when he saw the small indentations left by the Elfling's feet in the snow and then he spotted the small splint that Elrond had placed around the small wrist.
"Glorfindel, Legolas has been here. See his footsteps and his splint?" The old wizard swiftly climbed over the windowsill and out onto the balcony, Glorfindel following closely behind him.
The small prints led out onto the balustrade and they could see the small prints stop as the owner had climbed up onto the brick work. Then they disappeared, leaving behind what looked like branch marks.
Glorfindel eyed the large tree in front of them. "I think he may have taken refuge in the tree. I will climb over and see."
"I will meet you at the bottom; I will warn the others that he has left the house." The wizard was too old to climb trees like an Elfling and if his friend wanted to then it was fine by him. They went their separate ways.
Glorfindel jumped from the balcony to the tree with the ease of long practice. His keen eyes soon made out the small indentation the Elfling had made in the snow and with a smile he thanked the tree for keeping him safe while they were looking for him. He began the task of climbing down the tree.
He was about half way when he became aware of a group forming beneath the tree. It was all who had been searching as well as Elrond.
As he reached the bottom and Elrond reached out to steady him, unnecessarily, the tree began to moan. It sounded to be in deep distress.
Both Elrond and Glorfindel tried to calm the tree so that they could find out what was wrong with it, but to no avail. Finally Elrond turned to Elladan. "Please would you go and wake Ventalion, 'Dan? I think that this needs a Wood Elf's touch."
"Yes, of course, Ada." Elladan quickly left. He returned with a dishevelled Ventalion and to Elrond's sharp eyes it was obvious that the Elf's sleep had not been peaceful.
Ventalion went straight to the tree, making it obvious that Elladan had explained the situation. They watched as the Wood Elf placed his hands on the bark and began to commune with the tree. The peaceful look on his face soon changed however and he stepped away from the tree with a worried frown.
"The Prince was heading in this way." He pointed towards the deeper trees. "There is one here who should not be and he has taken the Prince. The tree says he is Adan and not nice. The Prince was crying."
They were all moving in the direction that Ventalion pointed, worry once more filling their hearts. They came to a small clearing and they could all see the disturbed snow where a struggle seemed to have taken place. Then there were marks in the snow that looked as if something or someone had been dragged away.
It was Elrond in the lead that stopped his heart dropping as he bent to pick up the small item that was lying forgotten on the snow. It was Snuffles.
He turned to the other's the small dog held for them all to see. For one short moment there was shocked silence and then Glorfindel was firing off orders.
"I want search parties arranged. We need to go back to the house and gather supplies, if this is the Man who took Legolas before then he will need our help. Estel, I want you and the twins to do the tracking, it will not be difficult in this weather, but you are our best trackers. We will need some warm clothes for the Prince. Well? Come on, he does not have the time for us to stand around like this!!"
That spurred them all into action and they hurried back to the house to rejoin as a group soon after, all armed to the teeth and ready with supplies, should Legolas need it. Glorfindel gave a grim smile that boded ill for the person who had taken the small Prince. The equally grim looks on the others faces told him in no certain terms that if a single hair on the Princes, admittedly short, hair was harmed the person who inflicted it would be sorry, very, very sorry.
He watched as Elrond shouldered his herb bag, the one used for injuries when away from healing facilities and then they were ready. With the twins and Estel in the lead they headed off and began the task of bringing the small Prince back safely to the Last Homely House.
Legolas was terrified. He had tried to fight and get away but to no avail the man had too hard a grip on him. He could only wince as the man twisted his broken wrist to make him behave. When he lost his balance the man would not even give him the time to regain his footing, he just pulled the Elfling along by his wrist. Silent tears fell as he looked sadly behind him in the direction they had just come from.
He lost count of the number of times that the man hit him. At one point he even kicked him when the Elfling did not move fast enough for him. As they neared the broken down hut that served as the Man's home Legolas began to panic, he could not go back in there. It was so dark and scared him so much. If only he had not dropped Snuffles. But then his Master would not have let him keep him, anyway.
The door closing behind him was like a death knell. Big, fearful blue eyes looked up at the evil, smelly man.
Toldlin looked down at the Elfling in front of him and it was not pleasant. He was already reaching for his belt as he spoke. "Didja really think I'd letcha go? Nah, ya mine, ya will learn not to run away from me!"
The force of the belt landing across his back made Legolas cry out and Toldlin to laugh. "Ya know the rule, Slave! No." Slash. "Talkin" Slash. "Or." Slash "Cryin'" Slash. "Out." Each word was punctuated with a blow from the belt. Soon the Elfling's tunic was red with blood. Not one sound left his lips. The lips were bloody from where his teeth on one side had bitten it to stop from crying out. Finally the punishment stopped and Legolas lay in a heap on the floor, shaking with the shock of all that had happened.
"Ya to do ya chores. I left 'em for ya. I want ma food in an hour. Understand, Slave?" A kick at the small form and then he left to get another bottle of ale. He had been so angry to find his slave gone, but all was well know and the high and mighty Elves would not have any idea as to where he was.
The tracks led through the woods of Imladris and to a small clearing. There in the middle of nothing was the most ramshackle shed that any of them had ever seen. The door was even off its hinges. The footprints led right up to the door.
An eerie silence filled the area and with a few quick hand movements from Glorfindel the others arranged themselves around the shack. They waited for any sign of life.
They did not have to wait long and soon a large, very fat Man left the shack and wandered across the clearing, it was obvious that he was very drunk.
He headed into a small cave that was covered with lichen and Ivy, when he came back out he carried two skins in his hand. Wavering drunkenly once more he made his way back to the shack, pausing on the threshold to listen to the forest around him. All he could hear was the rustling and moaning of the trees. Little did he know that the trees were warning a certain little Elfling that help was near and that he just needed to hold on.
"Brat, is ma food ready? It betta be good this time or I'll flail ya proper this time!" The man disappeared into the darkness of the shack.
"Flail him proper this time?" Elladan's voice was very low and full of rage.
Neither Estel nor Elrohir had the chance to answer as a muted roar came from inside the shack followed by the sound of something meeting flesh. That was it as far as Estel was concerned, the thought that this could be the small Elfling that he had held in his arms only the day before sent him to his feet. It was only as he tried to move forward that he realised that he was not the only one. Every one of the Elves and the Maia with him had also made it to their feet and had their weapons drawn. Slowly and with surety they made their way across to the shack. The twins headed for the back to make sure that there was no way that the Man could leave without them knowing about it and stopping it.
Estel and Mithrandir took a shattered filthy window each and Glorfindel along with Ventalion took each side of the broken, splintered door. Elrond was the only one who sheathed his weapon. He reached instead for his herb pouch, he would be the one to make sure that Legolas was alright.
"Food? Ya call this food?!" Another smack as flesh met flesh and Glorfindel was through the door, just in time to witness the large, filthy man lift the Elfling off his feet and throw him against the wall of the shack. The small back and head hit the beam that stood proud from the wall. There was a large crack and the Elfling fell to the floor, boneless and unmoving.
The Man blinked in shock when he realised that he was not alone and he whirled around to face the intruders.
"What ya doin'? Ya have no right ta be here! Git out!"
"Not without the Elfling." Glorfindel's voice rang out coldly in the still cold air.
"Ya want the Brat? Ya can't 'ave im. E's mine. Now git before I show you ma sword." Toldlin was wavering where he stood and Estel wrinkled his nose at the smell that emanated from him.
"We will be taking Legolas with us whether you like it or not. Now move away from him." Glorfindel moved forwards the others joining him.
"Legolas? Is that the brat's name? Nah, I prefer Brat or slave. Yea, slave is much better an e needs ta learn his place in life." Toldlin drew his foot back to kick the small body that had not moved.
"If you strike the Prince one more time, you will regret being born." Ventalion's voice was low and vicious.
"Prince? E ain't no Prince." He blinked owlishly at them.
"Yes, he is. He is the only Son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood. If you do not release him…"
Toldlin cut him off. "Prince is e? No way ya avin' im back then. Mayhap the 'King' will pay an andsome reward for im. Tell im 'e can 'ave im back fer an undred pieces o' Gold. E refuses the Brat stays wif me."
"The King will not allow you to do that. His wrath will be great…"
"'Is wrath? It's not 'is wrath that you need ta worry abou. Git up Brat, my foods goin' cold." Once more the foot was drawn back, in preparation of a kick.
"If you lay another finger on Legolas, I will kill you where you stand!" There was cold, certain promise in Estel's voice.
"Ya? Ya nothing' bu' a kid. As if'n I'd be scared of ya!" Toldlin sneered at them.
"That is where you are wrong. You should be scared, of all of us." Mithrandir spoke up from where he was standing behind the others.
"Who ya?" Toldlin glared at him through glazed eyes.
"I am called Gandalf by Men." The Maia's voice was coldly calm.
"Wizard? Whas a wizard doin' here?" There was a sudden flash of fear in the other Man's eyes.
"Looking for the Prince, who you have obviously taken by force."
"Force? E was alone in the Woods. No one ta watch im. I coudna' leave im could I? I always wanted a slave." he flashed a look at Elrond as he moved closer to the still Prince. "Stay 'way from 'im!"
Elrond paused momentarily, shooting the Man a dark look. "He is injured I can help him."
"Leave 'im be. E gets 'elp when I says so, not till then."
"You are immoral, treating a child like that!" Elladan was passed being angry and well on the way to cold fury.
"E's no child. E's a demon wif 'is pointed ears. He should be 'ung. Yea, bes thing fer 'im. Only a demon 'as pointed ears."
"Or Elves have them." Elrohir fairly hissed at the Man.
"Elves? They be cowards and'll no leave their boundary's. They got na guts ta fight."
"That is where you are very, very wrong. We will leave our boundaries and will continue to do so while we live on Middle Earth." Once more Glorfindel's voice rang out clearly.
"We?" There was uncertainty in Toldlin's voice now.
"Yes, Adan WE. We also have more guts, as you so delicately put it, than you ever will. We look after our own and will not leave the Prince with you one minute longer." Glorfindel could sense Elrond moving closer to Legolas and wanted to keep his attention away from him.
"I tol' ya, e 'ain't na Prince. E's just a slave I found."
"He is Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and her Crown Prince." Ventalion could not stand the thought that his Prince had been in the 'care' of this Man.
"Then wha' e be doin' on 'is own?" Toldlin really needed another drink, but did not dare take his eyes off of the intruder's.
"It was a large misunderstanding and he should never have been there alone." Ventalion hated to admit the truth.
"I found 'im, e's mine."
"No he is not. He is a free being and will be coming with us."
"Oi!!! I tol' ya not to go near im!" Toldlin had finally realised that Elrond had neared the fallen Prince. None of them expected what happened next.
Toldlin, fed up to the back teeth with these intruders that wanted to take his slave away, hit out at Elrond, catching his cheek. It did not even stun the Elf Lord. Then the human went for his sword, Glorfindel thought no more of it. He raised his own sword and moved protectively in front of the Prince and his unarmed friend.
"So, ya wanna die firs' does ya? That is easily managed." There was the sound of clashing blades.
Maybe if Toldlin had not been drunk he may have realised that the other's in the ramshackle room, rather than helping, had relaxed somewhat and had moved out of the way, giving the Balrog Slayer more than enough room. They were still on the alert, but they all knew that Glorfindel could easily best this Man.
The fight was very short. The man may have been a fighter once in his distant past, but that had been before age and drink had taken its toll on him. Along with the fact that he was very drunk and his reflexes dimmed, he never really stood a chance. The only one in the room who did not realise that fact was the man himself.
He made one very vital over sight and over stretched himself, leaving himself wide open to the blow that Glorfindel could not stop. Within minutes the man was dead on the floor. Red blood spilling copiously where he had fallen.
Elrond needed no further urging and within minutes he was by the Fallen prince's side. Crouching down he very gently checked him over. He did not dare to move him without making sure that no bones were broken, that could lead to more problems in the future.
The blond was still deeply unconscious. Fresh bruising and cuts marred the fair features. More blood ran from the split lip. A large knot could be felt beneath the short fuzz that was left of his hair. If they had been out in the light and not in the dark, dingy room he would have been able to see the lump.
"Ada, how is he?" Elladan had reached his side and was more than happy to help his father. The others were seeing to the burial of the body.
"Unconscious. He will most likely have a bad concussion." He ran expert hands down the think arms. "We will have to reset the right wrist and his clavicle has moved as well. Valar, his left wrist is broken as well!" He moved his hands to the thin chest. He winced when ribs moved when he pressed. "We will have to move him very carefully, he has at least five broken ribs."
"Would it be best if I returned to Imladris and brought a carriage for him to ride back in, Ada?" That was Elrohir.
"Yes, Ion-nin that will be a very good idea. You are the fastest runner, do you mind?" Elrond looked up at his son.
"No, Ada I will be as quick as I can." With that the younger twin left and was soon lost as snow began to fall once more.
"I will make a fire, Ada he will need to be kept warm and I am sure that you will be needing hot water as well." Estel stood beside Elladan a concerned look on his face.
"Yes, Estel I will, Hannon Lle." Mithrandir had joined them and was watching the proceedings.
Elrond continued his examination, anger growing as he took in the injuries to the small body. Luckily he found nothing but massive bruises to Legolas' legs and stomach. With Elladan's and Mithrandir's help he turned the Elfling making sure that he did not jar his back. He needed to make sure that no permanent damage had been done before pulling the Elfling wrongly.
What they saw made them all freeze with shock. There was very little left of the tunic that Legolas had been wearing. It had been cut to shreds, pure and simple. His back had not one patch of bare, intact skin that did not have either welts or cut marks. Elladan closed his eyes and swallowed thickly as he recalled the Man's words from earlier about flailing the Prince. It seemed that they had not been idle words.
Elrond could not believe what he was seeing. Some of the wounds were so deep that he could clearly see the fatty white of muscle. It would take a lot of patience and many sutures to close some of these. It would also be a long and painful recovery for the young Prince.
Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Elrond moved the tattered remnants of cloth from the small bloody back, wincing once more as he realised that some of the cloth had been driven into the wounds by the force of the blow. He could clean some of them, but a lot would have to wait until they were back in Imladris before he could clean then properly.
Once he had moved all the cloth that he could, he began to trace the spine that clearly showed as a result of his malnutrition. It was as he reached half way down the back that he saw the swelling and as he gently palpated the area he could have cried with a mixture of both anger and fear.
"Ada, the water is ready for you. Should I prepare the Athelas?" Estel placed a bowl and some clean cloths beside him.
"Thank you, Estel. I need you to go and see if you can find a long piece of wood that we can lay the Prince upon."
"Of course, Ada may I ask why?"
"Legolas broke his back when the Man." He spat the word. Oh, how he wished he was still alive, if only because then he could have the joy of killing him slowly. "Threw him against the wall. We need to immobilise him so that there is no more damage done."
The gasps from all around him told him that they all realised the consequences of what he had just told them.
Estel shook himself and crumpled some Athelas into the small wooden bowl, he placed more where his father could reach them. Standing shocked would not help his small friend. He rose once more and left the small dilapidated building to try and find some wood suitable for the use they needed it for.
He returned empty handed, it looked as if the man had been stripping the woods around of anything that could be considered useful. When he returned to the shack, Legolas' back had been cleaned and dressed.
"Ada, I could not find anything to use as a splint. There is nothing lying about."
"We could use one of the doors." Glorfindel offered. Not one of the doors hung properly on their rusted hinges. It took the work of minutes for them to remove one of the inner doors. Very carefully Legolas was lifted and placed on the board before Elrond used bandages to hold him in place.
Not once did the small Elfling move and once they had him settled as Elrond wanted him to be, he moved to check his pupil responses. The right eye was slightly sluggish, but considering the blow that he had received that was not surprising.
They settled down to wait, all watching Legolas as they waited. All hoped that he would open those incredible blue eyes. They waited in vain. Not once did he move.
Soon they all heard the sound of hoof beats and Glorfindel left to see who it could be. All noticed that his hand was on the pommel of his sword. Elrond had to smile, he did not know how the small Prince had done it but somehow over the last few days he had wormed his way into all of their hearts.
His smile widened as he heard his friend great the newcomer's. It was Elrohir with a rescue party.
It was another half an hour before they could leave and the snow was falling in a blizzard, making visibility very difficult indeed. Elrond also wanted to make sure that the improvised stretcher did not jerk and move while they were travelling. He would have to wait until the Prince awoke before knowing if the spinal cord had been damaged.
The trip back to Imladris was slow and agonising for those with the party. They did not dare hurry, just a stone under the wheels could have disastrous consequences for the Prince. Elrohir had forewarned the Halls of Healing that a seriously injured patient was being brought to them. So Elrond knew at least that a chamber and herbs would be ready for him and knowing his son it would be in the main wing of the Last Homely House, probably the Elfling's own chamber.
It was fully dark by the time that they saw the welcome light's of home. Elrond was more than glad to have Mithrandir along, the old Wizard had used his magic to smooth the ride somewhat and by his doing so he had reduced the travelling time by a large amount.
Soon they were pulling up in front of the house and Estel and the twins joined Glorfindel on the ground so that they could help carry the Elfling inside.
The house was warm and very welcome and as they entered they were joined by Erestor who informed them that he had hot mulled wine and soup ready for them. He followed anxiously as they carried the Elfling to his chamber where a large warm fire burned in the grate.
They lowered the Elfling on the bed following Elrond's instructions to the T. Then they stepped back and allowed Elrond and his healers to begin their work. None of them left the chamber, but stayed to watch as the bandages were once more removed from the Elfling.
Everyone in the chamber had to bite back a gasp as they got their first really good look at the bloody back. Estel had tears in his eyes, as he watched his father and the other healers work. He started when a warm hand patted his shoulder and he looked up to see Mithrandir smiling gently down at him, his blue eyes full of sorrow.
"He will be well, Estel it will take sometime, but the Prince will be well. I see a great future ahead of him."
Estel could only nod at the old Maia, his throat was too choked to form words.
It took Elrond more than two hours to clean and suture the wound, it had to be taken slowly and easily, he had to be certain that no cloth was left in the wounds as this would only add to the Elfling's problems. It could cause a very nasty infection and at present the Elfling did not have the strength to fight it, they may well loose the Prince if that was to happen. As it was he had a long recovery ahead of him.
He lost count of the number of sutures that he used to close the deepest and worst of the wounds. While he worked the other healers broke and re-set the Elfling's wrists before splinting them once more. Once finished they aided their Lord in what ever way that they could. The smell of fresh Athelas permeated the air and all of them gave little sighs as the herbs magical properties filled the air.
Elrond finally sat back with a very tired sigh before slathering the wounds with a mixture of athelas and other herbs that would help to heal the wound and hopefully prevent any infection. He then carefully bandaged the small back, being careful not to jar the Elfling.
Once this was completed Elrond began his examination of the small spine. There was swelling just about half way down the back. He picked up the small needle that he had used to suture the back with and making sure that it was clean of blood he moved to the small perfectly formed feet.
With the others watching nervously he drew the sharp edge of the needle up the small foot, all watched with bated breath, hoping and praying to the Valar that the small foot would move away from the sharp instrument. It was in vain and with a frown Elrond moved onto the other foot, again nothing happened.
"We will have to wait for him to waken before we know the extent of the problem; his back is definitely broken, though. We can only hope that with time it will recover. Please help me turn him. We need to be very gentle.
Elrond's orders were followed to a T once more and the small prince was soon resting on his back so that they could take care of the bruises and cuts that marred his body. Most were thankfully superficial, but the lip once it was cleaned, showed the damage that his small teeth had done. It had taken three stitches to close the split. The poor thing had been in agony to cause such damage.
Again anger filled Elrond and he wished that the human was here in this room, but he had already paid for his crimes. Once happy, he checked Legolas' pupils once again. Pleased with the result he sat back. Now all they could do was wait.
And wait they did. It was morning before Legolas moved his head and gave a small groan. Confused blue eyes looked up at them all, blinking to try and clear them. He looked around and they could see the mounting fear in them.
The voice was low and tremulous. "Ada? Where ith Ada? I want my Ada!"
"Shush, Legolas you are among friends." Elrond began speaking but Mithrandir moved to stand beside them.
"Hello, Legolas do you remember me? You have certainly grown since I last saw you." Mithrandir smiled, remembering the small Elfling baby.
"Where I?" Tears were filling those blue eyes know.
"You are safe, my Prince I will stay and be with you." Ventalion moved forward so that the Prince could see him.
"'Lion! Where ith Ada?" Legolas tried to hold his arms out to be picked up but stopped when they caused him pain; he looked down to see the splints that imprisoned his wrists and lower arms.
"You have been in an accident, Prince Legolas it will take you a while to heal. Do you know where you are?" Ventalion asked trying to help Elrond and knowing that they would need to know what Legolas remembered.
"No, want Ada." Legolas tried to move, stopping as the others all rushed to stop him from moving. The wide eyes grew even wider as realisation set in. "'Lion, I cannot feel my legth!"
To be continued
Firstly, we would both like to apologise for the lateness of this posting. Mei has been snowed under with college work and I (Shell) have not been very well. The dratted kidney's again. Nick has also been home so writing has gone a little… by the wayside. I am back now with a vengeance and ready for some fun. Mei is on holiday this week so you may hear from her too!!!!
Replies to responses:
Isildwen: Yep, Big bad master is back, but not for long!!! Don't worry about Thranduil, plans are afoot as Sherlock Holmes used to say!!!
Triptych: I'm glad you like the long chapter, they all seem to be getting longer! Glad you continue to like this.
Estalder27: LOL!!! Watch what you throw there!! He's safe have no fear. I'm glad that you love little Leafie. More about the guards later. He He!!!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: He hurt Leggy!! But he paid for it!!
Manwathiel: Thank you and here is more!!
Mornflower: Very much the point! LOL!!! Forget the drool I needed a cold shower after your… uhm… description!
Tina7610813: Very unfair! Poor, poor Leggy! Here's your update!
Kel: He's safe! So is Snuffles that is more important! ;P. Here is your update!
Dawn: Thank you! What's in store. Ohh, lots and lots, but that would be telling!!
Wynedale Sheergate: Yes, poor, poor Leafie he is not having a good time at all at the moment. Thank you for your kind words.
Dark Borg Drone: I think so! Here you go…
Aranna Undomiel: Thank you! We never mind people pointing out mistakes, as I have said before, it is the only way to improve ourselves. I hope this chapter is a little better.
Alatariel Narmolanya: Yep another story! LOL! You will have to wait and see why Legolas is scared of blond Elves. I can't tell you at this point, sorry. It would only ruin it for you.
Rhys: Yep, it is being continued, don't worry. I hope you like this chapter.
Chem: Thank you! Grin. Mei tells me that I am!!! Yep, he made a BIG mistake no doubt about that!
Linwe Seregon: Here it is!!! Enjoy.
Anonymous: Thank you and here is more for you.
Pointy-eared-elfs: LOL! Why don't you like Ventalion? What has he done? May be your right…. Maybe you're wrong. You will have to wait and see!
The Fire-breathing-ferret: we have! Thank you!
Barbara Kennedy: Thank you! Yep, it's very AU and set in Mei's world. You would have to ask her the reasoning! Yes, there was another version that was pulled by FF.N, Mei didn't want the story to just vanish and so this is what we have…. Yep, human but for how much longer?
Megan: here you are!!!
Well, there you have it. All I will say is that I still have Mei's cries of horror still ringing in my ears!! More very, very, very soon.
Love,
Mei, Shell and Leafie