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Chapter Seven
The next few days seemed to pass in a blur of pain for Legolas. No matter what he did the pain was always there waiting. His arms were practically useless and they hurt. His back seemed to throb with every breath he took. In short, he was miserable.
Two good things came out of all of this that Legolas could see. His Adar was here with him and he would spend a lot of the day with him. In addition, Roche-nin was with him. He had thought that he was gone, but he could not really remember where he had gone to.
The strange Elves around him had been kind and Legolas found that he liked all of them, even the strange one with the rounded ears. He came and spent a lot of time with Legolas. He would tell him funny jokes and tell tales on his brothers. He liked those stories best. This strange Elf was kind and his smile bright.
What Legolas found very difficult was the fact that he could not move from the bed. This was so frustrating for someone who was used to running around. But then, he really did not feel that well, so he suffered the restriction in silence.
He turned his head to the side. His father had been sitting with him last night when he had gone to sleep. His father was in much the same position as he had been, apart from the fact that his head lay cradled on his arms. His eyes were open, but glazed with sleep. Legolas gave a small smile before looking around him. The dull morning light was beginning to filter in through the curtains. If he listened carefully, he could make out the sound of bird song. They sounded happy and Legolas really wished he could go out and join them.
This was his favourite time of the day. To be able to witness the sun rising in all her glory and the joy that sounded from the worlds inhabitants was wonderful and always made him shiver with amazement.
He loved the wildlife. The creatures always seemed so pleased to see him, well, apart from the baby spider that he had tried to help that time. It had hissed and tried to bite him, but he could not leave it alone and injured could he? His Adar had been so angry with him over that one and had made him promise never to approach a spider on his own again. Legolas did not mind obeying that one! The spider had not been as much fun as he thought they would be.
Now, the Fox that his father had found had been great fun. It had been a very young cub with a broken leg. Its mother had been killed by wolves while she was protecting her baby. It had been fun to help it get better, but Legolas was sad when they had to release it. But they could not have kept it, it would not have been fair to the free spirit and the cub had spoken of his longing to run with the wind in his hair.
He liked that too. To be able to run through the tree limbs, laughing. Longing filled his heart, to be out in the snow. Now, that would have been fun!
The chamber door slowly crept open and a dark head slowly peeked into the chamber. It was his Ada's friend, the Elf who had been so nice to him when he had first woken up, the one that Brentto also seemed to like.
"Good morning, Legolas." The voice was low and calm. "How do you feel this morning?"
"I fine." He tried to smile, but it hurt his jaw and ended up as a grimace.
"Do not believe him, Mellon-nin when my son says that he is fine it is far from the truth. Am I not right, Legolas?" Both Elfling and Elf jumped when they heard the King's voice, they had both thought he was still asleep.
"Yeth, Ada." There was resignation in Legolas' voice. Now he would be made to drink a foul potion, and his father wondered why he would not tell him when he was hurt!
Elrond moved into the chamber a frown on his face. "What hurts, Penneth?"
"Everything." The voice was low and reluctant.
"Everything? Even your legs?" Elrond could not stop the hope that suddenly filled his heart. It dropped like a stone at the quiet.
"No, not legth. Back burnth." If Legolas had been reluctant before, now he was terrified. Elrond would want to look at his back, that would hurt, and Legolas really did not want that.
"It will be fine, Legolas I will be with you all the time and Elrond will not hurt you if he can help it. Will you, Elrond?" Thranduil's blue eyes were as sorrowful as Legolas' and Elrond stood no chance under the dual barrage.
"No, I will try my hardest to prevent that from happening. I also have a message for you, Penneth. Brentto has asked if he might come and see you later, once you have eaten."
The light in Legolas' eyes seemed to brighten at the mention of the raven, much to Elrond's interest.
"Really? Ada, can he come? I have not theen him for thuch a long time!" There was excitement in the quiet pain filled voice. As much as it hurt to hear the pain, it did them both good to see the excitement in the elfling's wan face. For Thranduil it made his heart sing. His son would be all right; this was the first evidence, since he had arrived in Imladris, of his son's unstoppable fea.
"Yes, Dian Las he can come and visit us, but only if you eat all your food." This comment was met with a scowl that caused the two Lord's to laugh
"I will go and round up Glorfindel to help us with moving Legolas. I need to look at his back. I will also organise some food. I will be back." Elrond ruffled the soft fuzz on Legolas' head ignoring the look that was so very similar to his friend's.
Once alone, Thranduil rose and pulled the drapes. It was snowing once more, heavily. He returned to the bed. Legolas was watching him closely.
"So, Penneth what happened to your teeth?" That had been a shock to see; when he had last seen Legolas, he had a full set of top teeth. Now the front two were rather conspicuous in their absence.
"Not know." Legolas would not meet his eyes.
"Legolas?" Warnings were flashing in Thranduil's mind, not helped by the way Legolas was behaving. "Legolas, you can speak with me about this. I will not be mad." At least not with you. The fierce thought flashed in Thranduil's mind. "I only want to help you get over this awful experience. Please, what happened to your teeth?" And what more is there that you are afraid to speak of?
"No, 'member, Ada, woked like this." This time Legolas met his eyes and Thranduil could see that there was no lie there.
"Oh, My Greenleaf! I was so worried about you. I thought I had lost you! Never do that again? Promise me that if any one hurts or scares you again then you will come to me. I will always listen and try to help." Thranduil had to blink back the tears as the fear he had felt finally found its relief.
"I promith, Ada. I never run away again. No like being away from you. Want to go home." Legolas was blinking rapidly trying to stop the tears from falling.
"And we will, Legolas as soon as we can. But because of the snow, we will have to wait for the Spring thaw first. Once that has happened, we will go home and you will see all your friends again." Thranduil was trying to hug Legolas without causing too much pain.
That was how Elrond and Glorfindel found them when they entered the chamber. In each other's arms as much as they could be without causing Legolas pain.
Elrond had in his hands a goblet of herb tea. He was under no illusion that this would not hurt the Elfling without it. With a gentleness of long practice, he held Legolas while Thranduil helped him to drink the bitter brew. Glorfindel had to smile at the look of utter distaste that crossed the pale features.
They waited ten minutes for the tea to work. Glorfindel regaled Legolas with the tales of what the twins and Estel were up too this morning to pass the time.
All too soon, it was time for them to get down to work. Under Elrond's instructions, they gently rolled the Elfling on to his side so that Elrond could reach his back. They were careful and made sure that they did not cause the Elfling too much pain or unnecessary movement.
Elrond's heart dropped the minute he took the bandages off. It was no wonder the small back was hurting the young Prince, his back was raw and even the stitches were pulled taut. The back itself was heavily infected. It was just what Elrond did not want to happen. This would not help Legolas' recovery.
He quickly cleaned the large area, making sure that it was completely dry. If he left it as it was, the germs would have a happy medium to grow. Dark, warm and moist. Legolas had more than enough to deal with without adding to it.
Once satisfied that there would be nothing to make the infection spread, he examined the small back, the large swelling half way down the spine was still very much in evidence, not that he expected it to be anything other. It would take a while for the swelling to be absorbed back into the Elfling's system and then they would be able to tell if the damage was permanent. For the moment, the swelling was protecting the small discs. It would not stop any major damage from happening, but it would help to a certain extent.
Once happy, if that could be the word, that no further harm had been done, Elrond began to grind some Athelas into a pulp and slowly spread it across the ravaged back. He had to fight hard to continue when he heard the small sounds of distress coming from the small Prince.
Finally, it was over and they gently lowered Legolas back onto his back, making sure that they did not jerk him or move him unexpectedly.
Once he was settled, Thranduil gently wiped the tears from his face. Legolas was still hiccupping slightly, his distress still evident.
"Rest, Penneth, we will leave the morning meal for a while so that the pain can settle a little. What would you like to eat?" Elrond was smiling down at the small Prince, he really was adorable. Galadriel had been right when she had told him that the prince had wormed his way into their hearts.
Legolas thought for a while and with a small smile to his father answered. "Roche-nin would like thome thtraw pleath and Thnuffleth' would like thome meat."
Elrond's smile widened as he spoke and when the Prince had finished. "I am sure that we can manage that, but I asked what you would like, is there anything you would love for the meal?"
"No, thank you, I alright." Legolas could not really think of anything, it had been so long since he had had food for breakfast! Or at least he thought it was and his stomach gave a small rumble of agreement.
"Then you will have to leave it with me. I will have to think of something special for you." Elrond glance at Thranduil and the King wore a big, proud smile as he looked back at him.
For Thranduil, this was yet another hint that his son was hiding his feelings. Given time he would be back to being the small bundle of joy that he was accustomed to seeing. That Legolas was more worried about those around him than about himself, proved that.
Elrond's statement earned him a small, very small impish grin. The mouth barely moved but the eyes twinkled.
"Why do I not bring Brentto to see you, Legolas?" Glorfindel had been watching this with amusement.
"Ada thaid I had to have my meal first." The voice was deadly seriously, as the Elfling replied.
"I think that just this once we can forgo that little stipulation." Thranduil's grin was even broader.
Big, almost luminescent blue eyes turned to him. "Really, Ada? I can thee Brentto?"
"Yes, Dian Las you may see Brentto. I know he is eager to see you once more." Neither father nor son saw the Balrog Slayer leave the chamber. Nor did they see him return a short while later with the Raven sitting happily on his shoulder.
"Brentto!!" the happy cry echoed in the chamber.
Brentto squawked happily in reply before flying to land next to the Elfling on the bed. "It is very good to see you, Prince Legolas. You are feeling better?"
"Yeth, thank you, Brentto, I am so pleathed to thee you."
Elrond watched as the small prince reached out hesitantly with his splinted arms, wincing at the pain this movement caused. To the Rivendell Lord's amazement, Brentto moved as close to the Elfling as he could get so that the Prince could reach him. He had never seen the like of this before! Normally, the Raven was hesitant, even with the Elves that he knew.
As he continued to watch, Legolas began to stroke the raptors back ridges and the bird closed his eyes with pleasure.
"How ith your family, Brentto? You must mith them. Will you be able to get home with the thnow?" There was real worry in Legolas' voice. He knew every one of Brentto's family and he worried that they would struggle without the Raven.
"They are all well, Prince Legolas, they will manage. But yes, I will fly home soon, once I am happy that you are well. I was worried, the forest and its animals have missed your singing. They asked me to wish you well. I see that you have found Roche-nin. I am very glad."
Elrond was not the only one who was surprised by the bird's words, Thranduil was too. Never had they known the message birds to be so interested in another not of their species. And to know Legolas' favourite toy as well?
"He wath here when I woked up. I glad. He ith going to have thome thtraw for hith meal. Roche-nin lucky. He warm and happy."
"I am glad, and he is a lucky horse to have such a wonderful owner. But the most important thing, Prince Legolas is this: are you happy?" The beady black eyes were watching the Elfling very closely.
"Yeth, my Ada ith here with me. I hurt but I alright. I will thoon be running through the treeth with you." Legolas had not stopped rubbing the ridges and as he watched Elrond realised that the bird had been right yesterday, Legolas did have a special bond with animals and he knew it was a precious gift to have seen it taking place. There was more to the small Prince than met the eye. More perhaps than even his father was aware of.
Elrond did not envy Thranduil, to have to raise such a uniquely gifted Elf was not going to be easy.
"I am glad and I look forward to having our game played once more."
"Game?" Thranduil's voice rang with confusion.
"We play hide and theek, Ada and chathe each other through the treeth, it ith fun!" Legolas eyes were sparkling with happiness once more and Elrond found he wanted to keep that look there. He never wanted it to go away and he was more aware than ever that it had almost been extinguished. How he hated that human and wished he were still alive, if only because there were things he would like to both say and do to him and it would not be pleasant., at least for the Man.
"I never knew." There was astonishment in the King's voice.
"Naneth uthed to take me to the foretht tho that we could play. The would thometimeth' join in. I mith her." There were tears in Legolas' eyes now and Brentto moved to stroke his head against the pale hand trying to comfort his friend.
"I do too, Legolas. She can still watch you though, in that way she will always be with you. All you need to do is think of her. She is still with you, in here." Thranduil had tears running down his face as he placed his hand over Legolas' heart. This had been the first time he cried for her, the first time he had given his feelings free rein since that awful day.
The day of her death the light had seemingly vanished from his life. The love that he always took so much for granted was gone, vanished in a moment. The shock to the King had been massive. The only thing that had kept him on Middle Earth had been the fact that Legolas had needed him. His small son had been so badly injured, they had nearly lost him to Mandos' Halls so many times. That would have been the final straw for the King, to have lost all of his family. Dealing with the ever-present darkness that was encroaching further and further into the forest of his home would have been too much for him to face after that loss as well.
It had only been when Legolas had seemingly vanished without a trace that he had realised that Legolas had become the bright light of hope that shone for him. When it seemed he had lost his son as well, it had hurt and had certainly made the last few months very hard.
It had been a great relief that his party had met Mithrandir along the route to Lothlorien and his news had been more than welcome. His little Greenleaf was alive!!
Looking down now into those blue eyes, a part of Legolas' heritage from his wife, along with her delicate bone structure, he appreciated very keenly that he had something to live for now and nothing would ever stop him from loving this Elfling.
Thranduil raised a shaking hand to brush the tears away, smiling shakily at Legolas who was also crying softly. Brentto was still trying to calm the Elfling.
"We need to get you something to eat, Penneth and then later, if I am happy with the way you feel, your Ada and I thought you might like to move to a chamber with a balcony that looks over the trees. Would you like that? Once you are feeling better we will be able to carry you out so that you can speak with them." Elrond and Thranduil had spoken about this just the day before. Legolas would heal better and faster if he could interact with the trees.
"Pleath, pleath, Ada?" Oh yes, Legolas was indeed a true Wood Elf, maybe even more so than normal, if just the mention of trees could bring some colour to the pale cheeks.
"Yes, Legolas you can, I will be with you." Thranduil was smiling again.
"And Brentto?"
"And Brentto if he wished to be with you."
"Yay!!" the Elfling's enthusiasm was catching and soon they were all smiling as Legolas continued to stroke the raven and talked with him.
They were pleased when the morning meal arrived with Elrond's sons and Haldir, that Legolas ate it all, with help of course. The porridge was thin and full of all the vitamins and minerals that Elrond had stipulated be added to the prince's meals for the near future.
The meal was jolly, with Estel entertaining Legolas with the tale of his great victory over the twins that morning. Helped by Haldir, the four had had a great game of snowball fights when they should have been grooming horses in the stable. Elrond watched with a fond smile at the tall stories his foster son was telling. Legolas was watching him with wide eyes, drinking in every word.
"How is Roche-nin this morning?" Estel ruffled the blond fuzz that was left of Legolas' hair.
"Happy, he had thtraw for hith meal and we going to treeth later on." Legolas shyly replied.
"Oh, you are? Can I come too?" Estel's reward was a shy uncertain nod.
"Good, I like trees, they are fun to climb…"
"And fall out of." Elrohir cut in with a wicked grin.
"I did not fall, the branch moved!" Was Estel's immediate reply.
"You fell out of a tree?" There was shock in Legolas' voice. He was young, but he had never fallen out of a tree.
"No, Legolas I missed the branch, it is a different thing." Estel hurriedly tried to explain.
"Were you hurt?"
"No, Penneth, I was unhurt." The twins were laughing as they recalled the look of shock on their brother's face when he had landed with a great thump on his back.
"Good, I glad and the tree wath naughty not to catch you." The innocent comment caused all of them to laugh at that thought.
Once finished with their meal, they all went about their business, but not before promising Legolas that they would all join him for the noonday meal. They all knew it would be hard on the Elfling being stuck in the small chamber all day and unable to leave.
Thranduil sat with Legolas that morning, reading while the Elfling slept. Elrond had gone to work in his study and Glorfindel was out leading the practice session for the novice warriors.
Legolas at least seemed to be sleeping well and comfortably and they had to wake him up to have his noonday meal. After that, Elrond gave instructions for them all to stay and help them move the Elfling to his new chamber. It would only be a few doors down from the present one but the other side, but it had a wide set of double doors that led out onto a balcony. It would be perfect for Legolas.
For the move, Elrond had given Legolas some sleeping herbs, despite his grumbles that he wanted to be awake. Elrond knew though that it would be painful and that this was the best way to go about it.
Once he was asleep, they moved Legolas back onto the makeshift stretcher and strapped him into place. As Thranduil had never been present for this, he stood to one side so as not to hinder them. It looked barbaric with the straps across Legolas' forehead and chest, as well as all the other places across his small body, to prevent the slightest chance of movement that might damage his back further.
Soon they were walking down the corridor, Thranduil with Brentto on his shoulder. The chamber was large and airy. Thranduil's eyes widened as he took it all in. This was perfect for Legolas and his son would love it.
It was decorated in all colours of light green. The wooden furniture was of a dark brown and had leaves and trees engraved upon them. On one side was a large roaring fire, its glow sending out tendrils of light and heat.
But then he noticed the wide double doors and he crossed the chamber to part the curtains and look out. The doors led out onto a wide balcony that was currently covered in pristine, untouched snow. Oh yes, Legolas would love this, but he would also love the fact that the balcony was ringed with trees.
Taking a deep breath of the cold, clean air, he closed his eyes and listened to the trees' songs.
They spoke of their joy of having not just one, but three wood elves with them. They also sang their joy that their prince was getting better and would soon be able to join them. That puzzled the King, why did they think that Legolas was their prince. He had no answer.
He turned back to the chamber in time to see that Elrond was giving instructions on how to lift Legolas off the hard board and lay him back on the bed. He watched with amusement as Elrond threw the pillows without preamble onto the floor, before clucking in annoyance, picking back up just one, the thinnest at that, and placing it on the bed. Legolas was then lowered gently onto it.
Estel, once finished, began to light the candles that hung in sconces on the walls. Soon the chamber was warm and inviting, with the air of home about it. Taking advantage of Legolas still being asleep Elrond enlisted Estel's help in changing his bandages once more.
The wounds to the small back were no better, not that he really expected them to be in this short a time, but at least they were no worse. Once they were cleaned and treated once more, Elrond bandaged them and helped to settle Legolas once more.
"Thranduil, your chamber is next door and is reached by that door." Elrond was pointing out the door to his friend. "That way you can be near to Legolas. Estel's chamber is on the other side, should you need him. Legolas will sleep for a while, so I would suggest that you get some rest yourself. I will keep an eye on Legolas. My work can be done as well here as in my study. I wish to keep an eye on him for a time and you have also had a hard few months I believe." Elrond raised his right eyebrow.
Thranduil had to concede to the logic of Elrond's words. He had not wanted to rest on the journey here, all he could think of was finding Legolas. "You are right, Mellon-nin. I will rest while Legolas sleeps, but please waken me if he does?"
"Of course, Thranduil, I would have it no other way. Just let me get my work and I will let you rest."
Ten minutes later Elrond was seated next to the bed, Legolas still fast asleep, and Thranduil had closed the door behind him.
Elrond's work was going well, mostly correspondence with the smaller Elven communities that were dotted about Imladris. Taking a short break after finishing one such letter, which was to be delivered along with the herbs requested by that community's healer, Elrond checked Legolas.
The small Prince was still asleep, but he was no longer pale. Well, even that was not exactly true. Most of Legolas' face was parchment white. The only real colour was the bright fever-red spots that lined his cheeks. With a frown, he reached forward to feel the small forehead. It was as he both suspected and feared. Legolas had a fever. Only a minor one to be sure, but a fever nonetheless. He would need to give the Elfling more herbs to try to counteract the fever, however, he would also need assistance and he really did not want to have to waken Thranduil so soon.
A knock on the door answered his prayer and he hurried to open it. Mithrandir stood there, hand raised to knock again.
"Mae Govannen, Mithrandir it is good to see you, Mellon. Come in, you are just in time to help me."
"I am? Then it is lucky that I happened to be passing by and wanted to check on the Prince. How is he?"
"He has a fever and I need to give him some herbs for it, but I do not want to waken Thranduil as he has just settled down to sleep. Can I ask for your help?" Elrond had crossed to the fire to the pot of water he had made sure was there, pouring some into a goblet.
"Of course, Elrond, I will gladly help. What has caused this fever?" Mithrandir was frowning down at Legolas.
"His back is heavily infected. I have treated it and dressed it. This is only a minor set back. While I prop him up, will you feed the tea to him?"
They worked in silence and soon the herb tea was gone and Legolas was once more lying safely in his bed once more.
Mithrandir and Elrond spent most of that afternoon catching up on what had happened since Mithrandir had left to join Thranduil's party.
The Maia was just giving Elrond a rousing rendition of Thranduil's angry speech when with a groan Legolas opened his eyes.
"Hello, Penneth are you feeling better?" Mithrandir's eyes were twinkling as he spoke to the Elfling.
"Where'th Ada?" Legolas was looking for his father.
"I will go and wake him Legolas, he has been sleeping." Elrond stood and left the chamber, knocking on the connecting chamber door first.
Thranduil hurried through, not even taking the time to brush and braid his hair. "I am here, Legolas."
"Ada, where ith Nana?"
To be continued
We would like to apologise for the lateness of this chapter but real life has been a pig in one way or another. but here we go all for you! We would all like to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!
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