The Twisted Web of Fate

by Sinister Sindar Sisters

Thranduil and his young son travel to a trade meeting very soon after the death of their wife and mother. Unknown to them, darkness follows them. Will they survive and make it back to their beloved home alive?

19. Chapter 19

The Twisted Web of Fate. 16?

(Gwî Norn Ned Amarth)

By the Sinister Sindar Sisters (M. Cross and B. Kennedy)

Disclaimer: Try as we might, we still don't own any part of the wondrous world created by the genius of J.R.R. Tolkien, so we just visit it and borrow a few characters for these stories. We only write them for our own entertainment and we surely don't make any money off them.

Beta: Barbara Kennedy

Rating: R (see warnings) Action/adventure/angst

Feedback: michelemichelecross. or on list.

Spoilers: for Tolkien's works in general (?)

Summary: Thranduil and his young son must travel to a trade meeting very soon after the death of their Wife and Mother. Unknown to them, dire danger and darkness follows them. Will they survive to return to their beloved home alive?

WARNINGS - First of all, we are writing this story for our own amusement, but we hope you enjoy it too.

There is a lot of angst and hurt/care throughout this story. Shell (M. Cross) is a stickler for medical accuracy and we are following the viewpoints of a lot of healers. Violence, graphic illness and injury descriptions as well as references to adult behaviours, physical or mental infliction of torture, and possible character deaths may be found here. It may be disturbing to some. If that is not your interest, you might want to look elsewhere. The story is Alternate Universe to begin with, though heavily structured on Middle-earth history, research and medical fact.

Story Cast: Thranduil, Legolas, Elrond, Elrohir, Elladan, Arwen, Erestor, Glorfindel, Galadriel, Celeborn, Haldir, Rumil, Orophin, Mithrandir (Gandalf), the Valar, Gwaihir, OMCs, OFCs, OCCs (Other creature characters)

Pairings: Rumil/OFC, OMC/OFC. (Eventually)

Timeline: Pre-LotR, Third Age - around the Days of Dearth (2758 – 2760)

Author's Notes: We could find no definitive information on the brothers Haldir, Rumil and Orophin, so we are taking matters into our own hands.

Archive: Please ask first. We would like to know where it is.

Also posted at …

http/ Sindarin vocabulary ----

References: Dragon Flame Sindarin Dictionary, Thain's Book, Council of Elrond and Encyclopedia of Arda

Adan, Edain … (The race of) man, men

Adar, ada … Father, dad

Amarth … Fate, doom

Anor … the sun

Aran, Aran-nin … King, my King

Arda … The world

Aur maer … good morning

Avo bedo! ... Do not speak!

Caun … Prince

Daer … great

DaerAda, DaerNana … (Roughly) Grandfather, Grandmother

Elleth, ellith … Elf-maiden, elf-maidens

Ellon, ellyn … Elf, elves (male)

Eru ... Ilúvatar, The One, leader of the Valar

Estë … Vala associated with healing, wife of Irmo

Fëa … Spirit, soul

Fileg … Small bird

Gon … Captain

Gwador, gwedeir… Brother, brothers (by adoption or association.)

Gweston. ... I swear.

Gwî ... Web

Hannon le … Thank you

Heniach nin? ... Do you understand me?

Henion. ... I understand.

Hennad … Thanks

Hír, Hír-nin … Lord, my Lord

Híril, Híril-nin … Lady, my Lady

Hûn-lhass … Digitalis, foxglove, (name is our creation - literally heart-leaf)

Iaur … old

Imladris … Rivendell

Ion-nin … My son

Irmo … Vala of dreams and visions, also known as Lórien

Laes … babe

Losto mae! … Sleep well!

Man pennich? ... What did you say?

Meleth … (My) Love

Mellon-iaur … Old friend

Mellon-nin, mellyn-nin … My friend, my friends

Minno … Enter

Miruvor … Cordial of the Elves. Miruvor was a warm and fragrant clear liquid. Its special property was to give the drinker renewed strength and vitality. – Source: The Thain's Book site.

Muindor … brother (blood relation)

Námo … True name of the Valar Mandos

Naneth, Nana … Mother, Mom, Mum, Mama, etc.

Ned … Of

Nen … Water

Norn … Twisted

Penneth, pennyth … Young one, young ones

Saes … Please

Sell-nin … My daughter

Sîdh … Peace

Suilad … Hail or greetings

Tithen … Little, tiny

Ulmo … Vala of waters, oceans and streams are his dominion

Westron … Common language, the language of men.

---

/ Text / indicates thought, dream or visions

Chapter Sixteen

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He gulped nervously. He could not help it. Gytha could certainly look very intimidating in the middle of the night. She had been woken from her sleep, he could tell. Her greying hair was wild, almost resembled a rat's nest, and she had crease marks on her face from the pillow, but she was also wide awake and ready to deal with him.

"Well?" She demanded once more. A light chuckle told him that Celeborn was awake, but he doubted that he would get any aid from that quarter.

"I… I…"

Gytha's voice and face softened. Ivorhen looked so shocked and shaken.

"Did you really think you were capable of even leaving the bed, let alone standing?" She still had her hands on her hips as she watched him.

"She has you there, mellon-nin." Celeborn's voice was altogether too cheerful as he sat up with a wince. Gytha was glad when she noted that he seemed much more coherent at this waking.

"I… I have to leave." It was halting and a little shaky but at least Ivorhen could speak once more.

"Without giving Tiera her present?" There was a frown on Gytha's tired face now.

"I am needed."

"Here, with Tiera, yes. You have to say a proper goodbye to her, she would not understand. And you will not be going anywhere anyway." Her voice was stern.

"I ha…"

"Do you wish me to sit on him, Gytha?" The voice was sweet, yet it made him shudder.

"That may well become necessary, Hyacinth. He is being very awkward." Gytha smiled her approval to the hobbit lass. Oh yes, she would make a mighty fine healer.

"Elrond. There is something wrong with Lord Elrond. I have to get to him." Ivorhen ignored them, pushing aside the bedding with his left hand, intent on leaving. How could he explain to them the feeling of total dread that filled him? The knowledge that he was needed but so far away was not helping. He was also a little disoriented.

"You are going nowhere. I promise you, Ivorhen, that if you try to move from that bed you will live to regret it." Gytha began to realise that Ivorhen was not really aware of what he was doing. His sleep must have been deep. For him to try to leave when he was so unwell did not make sense either. Well, she could hardly blame him or get angry could she?

"Believe her, mellon-nin. I have seen Gytha do it." Celeborn could see that Ivorhen was still caught up in whatever was affecting him. He had never known Ivorhen to have any portent dreams or visions, but then he had also just come through a serious head injury. Could this be a part of that? They could not take the chance.

"Celeborn?" Ivorhen blinked, confused.

"You are safe, Ivorhen. Just relax." Celeborn tried to soothe him.

"I have to go. I am..." Ivorhen even ignored Celeborn. The call in his mind was too strong to ignore. He pushed himself up and, in one unsteady movement, tried to stand.

All went well until he placed his right foot on the floor and tried to put weight on it. The leg gave way and he listed to the right with a shocked cry. If it had not been for Hyacinth standing so close by he would have fallen flat on his face, much to his embarrassment.

Hyacinth caught him easily, preventing him from toppling. Though he was so much taller than she was, he was light. "You should not have done that. Now I will have to sit on you." Her voice was serious and at first Celeborn did not know if she was joking or not, but then she smiled, a big deep smile that made her blue eyes sparkle.

"Sit on me? Why would you do that?" Even asking the question was an indication of just how unsure Ivorhen was of what was happening about him.

Gytha became more concerned by the minute. "I think you should sit back down and let me look at you, Ivorhen."

Between the two of them, they got him seated back on the bed. Gytha frowned and looked carefully at the pale elf. She could feel tremors running through his body, as if he was in some sort of shock.

With a nod to Hyacinth to stay next to him, supporting him to sit upright, Gytha reached for the thin wrist and counted the pulse. It was too fast and far too uneven.

"How do you feel?" She watched him closely. His eyes were still a little dilated and held a glazed look. It made his eyes look large in his pale face. Although they had washed his face while he slept, he still had some specks of dried blood around his mouth, nose and chin. He was still far too pale and had deep rings of black around his eyes. No, this elf, while better, was still far from well.

"I am well."

Gytha snorted. She should have expected that answer. It seemed to be the standard reply of any injured elf.

"No, my friend, you are not well. You are far from being well. Now please, how do you feel? Is your head still paining you?" Perhaps she would make better headway if she asked direct questions.

"A little." It was reluctant, but he answered all the same.

"How much is a little?" Her voice was weary. Why could they not just admit to hurting so she could give them herbs for the pain and be done with it? "You may as well be honest with me, only then can I help you."

"Gytha is right, mellon-nin." Celeborn's voice came across the bed. He sounded worried.

"And you are the one to talk, walking on a broken knee!" Gytha looked at him with shock and a little anger. He was saying this, after all the trouble he had given her himself?

"I did not know that it was broken." Celeborn would not meet her eyes.

"But you knew it was paining you badly." She shot him a glower. "Enough of that now, we need to help Ivorhen." She returned her full attention to him. "Ivorhen, apart from the pain in your head, what else is wrong?"

"I was dreaming…" Now that Ivorhen had awakened a little more fully, the dream and accompanying feeling of dread were leaving him. He felt a little silly about his reaction now.

"What about?" He startled at her question. Gytha soften her voice. He really was skittish. "Amaruvdor, can you see if there is any tea? Ivorhen could do with something warm."

The young lad had been hovering worriedly. He was really becoming a good help around the healing ward.

"Of course." He hurried off.

"I dreamed of Lord Elrond. Something was wrong, something was very wrong. I have to get to Imladris." As he spoke, the feeling returned. His breathing sped up and he looked about as in panic.

Celeborn blinked. Ivorhen was normally so calm and used to handling all kinds of situations. To see him like this was startling to the Elven Lord. He was not used to seeing the Imladris Gon in such a state of confusion.

"How, Ivorhen? You cannot stand and by the time you get there the danger will likely have passed. You need to rest and recover. That is the only way that you can help Elrond now." Gytha could understand how he felt, but she had the practicality of a woman.

"But if I am..." He tried to argue with her.

"You are not. Trust me, you are not."

"How do you know?" Ivorhen wanted to believe her.

Celeborn watched this with growing worry. "Would it help if I contacted Elrond?"

"How would you do that?" Grey eyes turned to him. There was a little hope in Ivorhen's voice.

"I can contact Galadriel and go from there. It will take some time, but it can be done. If I do this, will you get back into bed and rest? You have a little elleth who will be looking for the present that you promised her when she wakes." Actually, Ivorhen looked as if he was about to fall in a dead faint at the moment. His activity since waking seemed to have exhausted him.

"I will rest." Then Ivorhen's eyes lit as he registered Celeborn's words. "The present is finished?"

"Aye, they both are." Hyacinth and Gytha helped to move him back to lie in the bed. It was hard work but they managed to prop him against the pillows. Amaruvdor brought the tea and handed it to Gytha with a small smile.

"Thank you, Amaruvdor. Drink this, Ivorhen. It will help those chills that are wracking you." She handed him the cup and stood back to watch him as he used his left hand to take the cup and sniff it tentatively. At least once he decided there was nothing in it that should not be, he finally sipped it. He threw a glare at Celeborn, knowing full well that he was as bad as Elrond at adding medicinal herbs to an unsuspecting ellon's drink.

It did not even occur to him that Celeborn had been nowhere near the place for making the tea. It was also that exact point that convinced them all that Ivorhen was not as well as he was trying to show them.

"Rest, mellon-nin, I will speak with Galadriel." Ivorhen nodded but his eyes did not move from Celeborn, even as the Lord settled back and turned to Gytha. "I will need some miruvor and some..."

"Sweetened tea, I know. I have been around elves before you know!" The sting was taken out of her words by the smile that she shot him. "It will be ready for you." She promised him. "I will look after Ivorhen in the meantime."

"Thank you, my friend, I am indebted to you." He leaned back further and closed his eyes, searching for the connection to his beloved...

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The singing of birds woke her. She was comfortable and warm… actually, she was too warm, far too warm.

The minute Galadriel tried to move, she realised what the problem was. She was tucked so tightly into the bed that she could barely move and she had a mound of blankets on over the ones that originally graced the bed. This was getting quite ridiculous. She groaned out of sheer frustration.

"Galadriel, my friend, are you awake?" Banwen appeared suddenly beside the bed, hovering over her.

"I am awake. What happened?" She looked around, confused. She had been in Bainen's study...

"You suddenly collapsed. You said that you had a pain in your leg. We had Mellroth come to see you. He tried to tell me you were not really hurt. I was upset." Banwen told her worriedly, watching closely for any signs of distress.

"I recall. What happened then?" That was what puzzled Galadriel.

"He insisted I take a tea and I do not remember very much." There were tears in Banwen's eyes.

"I am sorry, I am well..." Galadriel tried to explain. She suspected the tea Mellroth gave her was why she was only now waking. It was much later than she normally woke.

Banwen looked at her with shock. "Well? How can you say you are well? Your leg is bruised and swollen and you fainted!"

"I am well. I can even put weight on my leg..." Galadriel started to leave the bed. She only then noticed then that she was in her own chamber. Apart from Banwen, it was empty.

"Don't you dare leave that bed! Mellroth said that you need to rest for at least a week with that bruising. He was sure you had broken it, until he looked at it. I will not let you leave the bed. I would rather tie you to it than risk your health." She held up her hand. "Yes, I know. You are an elf and not as weak as I thought, but even you have your limits and I think you have reached it."

Galadriel looked at her with amusement. Banwen really was a good person. Galadriel was proud to call her friend, but even so, the next thing she would mention was food...

"And you have not eaten in some time. I had Orophin go to get some food for you. Yes, he is up and about again. You really are amazing. I thought he would be on his back for weeks." As Banwen spoke, she was again tucking in the blankets that Galadriel had just loosened. She then stood back and admired her work. "There, that is better. We have to keep you warm so that you recover." She smiled sweetly at Galadriel, who could have groaned.

Her voice held amusement as she moved to loosen the covers again. "Banwen, I do need room to breathe."

"They are too tight?" Banwen was suddenly loosening the bedding, a worried look on her face. "Do you need Mellroth again?"

"I am fine. It was just a little too tight. I honestly am well." Galadriel smiled at Banwen, unable to hide her amusement.

"Good, then I will get you something to eat, or see where that wonderful son of yours has gotten to. Mellroth did ask that he be informed when you were awake. He wished to see you again. I can do the two at the same time." She wagged her finger at Galadriel. "You had better not move from that bed!"

"Very well, if you insist." Galadriel could only shake her head, still fondly amused at Banwen's 'mothering'.

"I do. I insist very much indeed." Banwen had a small triumphant smile on her face.

"Very well, I will stay here." Galadriel was actually all too pleased to do just that.

As Banwen left the chamber, Galadriel gazed out the window. It was really a perfect spring morning. The sky was a brilliant blue and fine clouds flitted across it like small ships. She could feel only a vague ache in her leg, but it was nothing like the sickening pain it had been earlier. She was positive that it came from Celeborn. The healer was in for a shock, if she was right.

She faced the chamber door as it opened. Banwen returned with Orophin, who looked much improved from just the night before. He was still showing bruises, but not as noticeable as they had been, although he still moved with a care that showed that his ribs were still painful.

"Orophin, Ion-nin, it is good to see you up and looking so well!" She wanted so much to hug him but Banwen's warning glance told her it would not be tolerated.

Orophin placed the tray he was carrying on the table and hurried to her side. He gently hugged her. "I am glad you are awake, Nana. I was beginning to worry." He whispered in her ear. "Lady Banwen is driving me mad!"

"I will speak with her." Galadriel whispered back. There was, after all, only so much that one could take and it was beginning to get a little old.

"Hennad, Nana." The joy in his eyes could not be missed though. He was pleased that she was awake.

"Mellroth will be up to see you once you have eaten. I told him that was the priority as you seemed so much better than you were." Banwen was piling a plate with food, far too much food. Galadriel mused that having her for your mother must have been very hard work.

"If that is for me, there is already far too much." She gently chided Banwen.

"But, this is not nearly enough..." Banwen protested.

"It is more than enough." There was a slight edge to her voice now.

"But, you are so thin! I have to make certain that you are eating properly." Banwen tried to explain.

"Banwen, come, sit here for a minute." Galadriel gently patted the bed beside her.

Orophin took the plate from Banwen. She walked uncertainly to the bed and sat down. She actually looked a little nervous.

"Banwen, dear, I really need you to listen to me and take in what I am saying, alright?" Galadriel took her hand and squeezed it gently. A gentle, but serious look was on her face.

Banwen nodded, eyes wide. "What is wrong?" There was alarm in her voice.

"You need to let me explain this to you Banwen. It is not meant to hurt you, I would never do that, but you have to stop this. Both Orophin and I are a lot older than you are. We are also well able to care for ourselves. Being elves we are a lot stronger than we look. I think you realised that earlier?" Galadriel watched her keenly.

Banwen nodded, her eyes still wide as she was reminded of the confrontation she had witnessed earlier.

"Then you know that we are a lot stronger that you realise. We need to eat a lot less than humans do. We also need less sleep and rest. The food that you give us and nearly force us to eat… it is too much for us. We only need to eat a little, often, and only light foods, not the heavy, starchy foods that you have been pressing on us. We have difficulty digesting so much at once. Orophin has even been sick because of it. You have to stop this. It is not that we are ungrateful, it is that we cannot continue like this."

Banwen had tears in her eyes. She had really caused them to be sick? She never wanted that. "I think I understand. It is just that you seem so fragile..."

"We may look fragile, but we really are not. How many of your people could heal from the wounds in the time that Orophin has? Or me for that matter?" With that, Galadriel pushed back the blankets that had been loosened and revealed her knee, where it lay propped up on a pillow.

Banwen gasped. She could not believe what she saw. The knee that had been black and blue and so swollen before was no longer so. Her knee was still slightly swollen but it was just that, slightly swollen, and it was also only slightly bruised.

"But, how is this possible?" She looked into Galadriel's smiling face, astonished.

"We are elves." It was as simple as that. "The Valar have blessed us with fast healing and immortality."

"Immortality… but… that is a myth!" Lady Banwen looked amazed.

"No, Banwen, it is reality for us. I have lived for over six thousand years. We really do live forever, unless we are killed." Galadriel's voice was kind. She could see how shocked Banwen was.

"But... but... I thought you were joking!"

"No, my friend, I was telling you the truth. Celeborn is even older than I. There are a few in Middle-earth even older than he."

"That is incredible. I would never have believed it. I thought it was a fairy tale, just as we were taught as children."

Galadriel shook her head and smiled gently at Banwen's confusion. "No, Banwen, we truly are immortal, or Firstborn, as we are sometimes called."

Orophin smiled gently at her as well. Even though she had been driving him mad by trying to mother him, he liked her very much indeed. It seemed to help her that they were not upset with her.

"I have heard that name, a long time ago. Did… did I really make you sick?" Banwen was horrified at the thought.

"It was not your fault. You did not know." Orophin was quick to reassure her.

"I would never have done that, had I known!" Her brown eyes filled with tears.

Orophin did the only thing he could think of, he hugged her gently. "We will just have to make sure it does not happen again." His voice was as soft as a summer's breeze against her hair.

"I promise that I will stop my 'mothering'." Banwen brushed away her tears and shot them a stern look. "I know I have a tendency to mother people. My children complain all the time about it. I want a list of everything you can eat, as well as things you would rather miss. I will let the cook know so that we can cook you special..."

"No, Banwen, thank you, but we need nothing special, just fruits, vegetables, bread and cheeses. That is mostly what we normally eat, along with a little meat." Galadriel told her.

"Oh, alright, but I will watch and still make sure you are eating! You are my friend after all." She gave them a watery smile.

Galadriel smiled at that herself. It seemed that some things would never change.

Suddenly the chamber door burst open and a dark-haired young man rushed in. He was pale and looked terrified. He did not stop until he had reached Banwen's side.

"Mother, I just heard! Are you alright!"

"Rhovan? You were not due home..."

"I had to come home, Mother, when I heard what had happened. I could not stay away. How could I? I was terrified for you!" The young man hugged her fiercely.

"I am well. I was uninjured." Rhovan had been away, training with a group of warriors. He, unlike Amaruvdor, wanted to help Fornost.

"I am more relieved than you can know. I feared that you had been injured. What happened?" He had not waited to hear the full news, but just hurried for home to see with his own eyes that his mother was alright.

"Tarlanc." Her voice was hard. "He is a traitor and will be tried as one."

"Tarlanc? But… why?" Rhovan asked, shocked.

"Because he hates us." Galadriel spoke softly.

"Elves? He hates elves?" He blinked at them. He had never seen an elf so close before.

"Yes, he is terrified of us." Galadriel observed him closely, trying to gauge his reaction to them.

"Galadriel and her soldiers saved me. Without them, I would not be here. I am very grateful to them." Banwen could feel the rising tension in the air.

"Then, I too am very grateful that you were here and able to prevent any harm to my mother." He smiled at them. Only Galadriel noticed that it did not reach his eyes.

"As am I. I have become very fond of your mother. She is very dear to us." Galadriel's voice was wary, slightly cooler in tone, as she spoke to Rhovan.

"She is very dear to me as well. I was so scared, Mother, when they said there had been an attack on our home. We heard all sorts of things from the people on the way back. Kidnapping, goblins and Valar knows what else!" Rhovan hugged Banwen tightly once more. Galadriel's expression softened.

"Your father and I are both well." Banwen hugged him warmly.

Rhovan looked over at the other elves that had appeared and smiled properly. "I thank you for your help. I apologise if I sound stiff and ungrateful. It was not meant the way it sounded. Mother, where is Amaruvdor? I was certain that he would be here with you."

"He left to go to Bree..." Banwen began to explain but was interrupted by her son.

"Bree! Why in the name of the Valar has he gone to that forsaken place?" Rhovan was shocked.

This time Galadriel's voice was icily cool. "My husband is there. I happen to have very close friends in Bree." She did not like the impressions she felt from the young human.

"You do, in Bree?" He made it sound like a nasty swear word rather than the name of a town.

"Yes, in Bree." Her voice had dropped a few more degrees.

"That is enough, Rhovan! These are my honoured guests and you will treat them as such!" Banwen would not stand to see Galadriel spoken to like this, not after all they had done the previous day.

Banwen was also aware that Orophin had moved beside his mother, as if to protect her. He may have no weapons, but that would not keep him from causing harm. She was all-too-well aware of that now. Galadriel herself had shown them earlier and if a female could reduce a grown man to tears and break his hand, what could a male do?

Rhovan subsided, but shot them a glare when he thought they were not looking. Unfortunately for him, Orophin watched his every move.

Orophin glared at the human. He too had friends in Bree, they all did. Orophin did not like the way Rhovan was looking at Galadriel. He would place himself between them, if necessary.

It was Banwen who broke the growing tension.

"Rhovan, you have had a long journey. You must be tired and hungry. Go, and have a bath and a meal. We will talk later, when you are rested." It was said in a firm voice that only a mother could manage. To Orophin's amusement, Rhovan actually seemed to shudder at her tone.

"Yes, Mother, of course. You are quite right." He seemed to belatedly remember his manners then. "If you would excuse me, my Lady, Mother, my Lord?"

"Of course, Rhovan, as your mother said, you must be tired and you have had quite a shock." /I will forgive your words this time, just this time./ Galadriel did not say it, yet the words seemed to hang in the air anyway.

"Then I will leave, with your permission, Mother?" Rhovan ignored the elves to focus on Banwen.

"Of course, dear one. We will see you at dinner later on?" She kissed his cheek lightly.

"Yes, I would not miss it." Rhovan kissed each plump cheek happily. It was always good to see his mother when he had been away from home.

"Good, go and rest." She then shooed Rhovan from the chamber before she closed the door and returned to Galadriel's side. "You still need to eat and then I will send for Mellroth. He will need to look at your leg. Yes, I know it is better, but I would rather he looked at you anyway."

"Very well, if it will relieve your mind." Galadriel gave in and relaxed back. It was unusual for her to rest like this.

"Good, you are seeing sense for once. Let me get rid of this and then see to some food that is better for you." She lifted the over-filled platter, looking at it in disgust as if she had never seen it before.

"I would like that very much. Sit, Orophin. You need to relax as well." Galadriel watched as Banwen left the chamber. "There is no danger in the chamber... now." Her voice was soft.

"I do not trust him, Nana. There is something... not right about him." Orophin really could not put his finger on what it was about the young human, but there was something in the way that he looked at them...

"I know, Ion-nin. I can sense it too. He will bear watching. It is not as it is with Tarlanc, but there is something going on here that I am not sure of. I need to ponder this." Galadriel smiled at him gently. Rushing would not help them, sometimes sitting back and watching was the best thing to do.

"You will wait?" Orophin had no doubt of that. It was rare that his Nana rushed into anything.

"We will wait. I want to see how he reacts to being around us and also when the others in our party arrive." Galadriel was looking forward to that moment. She could not wait to hold her beloved in her arms.

The door opened and Banwen came into the chamber carrying yet another tray. Behind her was Mellroth. He looked pleased to see Galadriel awake and looking so well.

The two parted ways half-way across the chamber. Banwen to go to the table and set the tray down, Mellroth crossed to the bed.

"Well, My Lady, you have had a nice sleep. It is good to see that you are awake. Can you explain to me what happened?" Mellroth gently sat down and took her hand. He counted her pulse with the other.

"I had a flash from my bonded. As I said, he had been injured..."

"Through your bond?" He looked up sharply to watch her reaction.

"Indeed." Galadriel was pleased with the healer. He had at least read up on the health of elves and anything concerning them. If only Irfan of Bree was as diligent.

"What happened?" He rested back, pleased that she was comfortable and seemed to have no pain.

"I do not know fully, I have had no proper contact with him, but I know he has injured his knee." Galadriel told him.

"May I see?" He gestured towards the bedding.

"Of course, my friend. That is the reason that you are here. How can I refuse you when you ask so nicely?" Galadriel really did feel comfortable with him. He reminded her so much of Elrond.

She pushed back the covers and pulled her night gown up to her knee once more. It had not even occurred to her that she was no longer dressed in the fine gown she had worn the day before. Obviously a lot of things had happened after she had fainted, if indeed she had fainted. She was beginning to think that something other than that had happened.

"That is kind of you to say, not many patients say that to me when I come to visit." Mellroth told her, quite serious.

"This one will not be as happy should she find out that you drugged her as she suspects you did." Orophin sniggered quietly behind them. He had known full well that both his Nana and Lady Banwen had been drugged to sleep, but they had both needed the rest.

"Then I will keep my mouth firmly shut." Mellroth told her with another cheeky grin. "That way I can incriminate no one."

"You really are as bad as my daughter's husband." Galadriel could only smile as well.

"All healers are the same, so I am told." Mellroth grinned as he looked at her leg with utter astonishment.

"I have nearly healed." She told him gently.

"This is so amazing. I have never seen anything like this before. I wish all of my patients could heal like this. It would save me a lot of time and supplies. I need to look at the movement. Is there any pain at all?" He was already slowly feeling around the knee. Even in the short time that had passed since Banwen had seen it the knee was less swollen and the bruising was now only a slight discolouration.

"It is because the injury does not belong to me. I am positive it is Celeborn's." She was watching as he maneuvered the limb this way and that and watched as she reacted or did not, as the case may be. There was nothing to react to, because her knee did not hurt.

"There is nothing wrong with you, other than a slightly bruised knee. I want you to stay around the house today and rest as much as possible. You can walk but no exercise. I also recommend another good nights sleep, for Lady Banwen as well. I know that you will take notice of that." There was a twinkle in his eyes.

"I am sure I will be looked after." Galadriel swung her legs to get out of bed and was stopped by a 'tut-tut' from Banwen.

"We had an agreement, Galadriel, that you would only move once you had eaten. As I recall, you have not yet eaten." Banwen stood with hands on hips. As Mellroth laughed, Galadriel sighed and swung her legs back into the bed, where they were quickly covered with the blankets.

"I will leave you to your morning meal before Banwen chases me out. I will send up some salve that will see to the last of the bruising but I do wish to check you one last time tomorrow to make absolutely sure that you truly are as well as you seem." Mellroth stood. "I will bid you all good day." He turned to peer at Orophin. "And you, young man, no lifting or pushing or I will see you back in my infirmary."

"I will do as I have been told." Orophin promised, with a smile on his face.

"He will, I will make certain of that." Galadriel reassured him. "Thank you, mellon-nin, your care is much appreciated."

The last thing that Mellroth heard as he closed the chamber door was Banwen's voice. "You need the food. The bread is nice and fresh and still warm. We had some strawberry jam saved that I thought you would like on it..."

He smile and shook his head. He had known Banwen all his life and she would never change...

"Just one slice of bread will be enough for me, Banwen." Galadriel had visions of her piling the plate high with the bread and that was before she even started on the cheeses and fruit that had been provided for them.

"That is most certainly not enough. You heard Mellroth. You need food and rest to recover fully. One slice of bread does not sound enough." Banwen looked at her aghast.

"I will have two slices in that case." Galadriel knew when she was beaten and this time she was well and truly beaten. "Along with some of that wonderful apple, that looks better than the bread."

Galadriel could not resist sneaking out a hand to take a slice of the apple from the tray and bite into it. She was hungrier than she had realised.

"Apple? You expect me to let you eat only apple? Galadriel, I... that is not funny." Banwen chided her none-too-gently, realizing that she was being gently teased.

"Perhaps not, but the look on your face certainly was." Galadriel smiled at her hostess with unconcealed amusement.

"You will eat the bread." Banwen's voice was firm as she handed over the platter with three pieces of buttered bread. She then turned back and began to butter more for Orophin. She handed that over with a smile before seeing to her own needs.

The meal passed pleasantly. None of them mentioned the situation that Tarlanc had instigated or any of its repercussions. They would all be dealing with that later and it would not be easy.

"I think I would like a bath." Galadriel felt a little sticky and, now that she had eaten, a nice bath would be wonderful.

"I will have one drawn for you." Banwen stood.

"I can do it. There is no need to bother the maids." Galadriel reassured them. She started to move from the bed but at that moment a welcome voice sounded in her mind and love flowed through her heart.

/Suilad, Meleth./ Celeborn'smental voice was gentle and loving.

/Suilad, Dear One. You are better/ Galadriel was not even aware of falling back, seemingly senseless, onto her pillows. She heard a panicked cry in the background but shut that out to concentrate on Celeborn.

/I am recovering./ He did not directly answer that question.

/And your leg/ She could feel his surprise at the question and smiled at the reaction. She could not hide her amusement.

/How did you...?Oh, our link./ He did not have to finish and had indeed answered the question himself.

/Yes, I felt the pain and the snap as it was treated./ Just the memory made her shudder.

/I am sorry, Meleth. I would have guarded against it had I known./ He regretted that he had been so senseless at the time.

/Perhaps, but there is no harm done. I am glad you are healing. How is Ivorhen/ She had been aware of a tugging worry for the younger ellon.

/He has been very ill. He had a blood clot in his head, but he is recovering now./

/I am very glad about that. Elrond would be worried./ Galadriel was sincerely relieved. She liked the earnest young Captain of Imladris.

/I wish we could speak with Elrond./ Celeborn's voice was tinged with worry.

/I will try again later today and l will let you know what happens./ Galadriel was too used to speaking with Elrond at a whim through the bonds of their Rings. She did not like this.

/If you could, ask if everything is alright? Ivorhen is certain that there is something wrong and that he needs to make his way back to be at Elrond's side. He can barely sit up and yet he expects to make it back to Imladris/ Exasperation was clear in his voice.

/I have heard nothing from him to the contrary, but I cannot 'see' him at present, I am worried about him./ Galadriel was honest with him.

/I will not tell that to Ivorhen. He really would try to race off to get to Elrond./ He sounded amused, but he was also very pleased at the bond of duty and friendship that had grown between the two elves. It was almost as strong as that which flowed between him and Haldir, although that was helped by the fact that they were also essentially father and son as well.

/That does not sound a good thing. Is he seeing things as well/ Galadriel was interested in this reply, they had never been informed of this by Elrond.

/No, he was dreaming. He awoke, certain that Elrond was in danger.../

/I would know if that was so. I would feel it and see it. I have seen nothing./ She told him.

/Good./ She could feel Celeborn relax somewhat over their link.

/All that you need to do is reassure Ivorhen and he will calm down. I wonder why we have not heard from Mithrandir?./ It had suddenly dawned on her that they had not spoken with the Maia for some time.

/I do not know./ He could not know what the old wizard was up to.

/I am sure that when I speak with Elrond I will find out. I do intend to speak with Mithrandir. He will regret not telling me about Elrond's blindness. I just hope he is alright./ It would be some time before she forgave the old wizard for that omission.

/I am sure that he thought it was for the best. Just to inform you, we will be leaving here in about three days. We should be in Imladris within a week./ Celeborn sounded so smug that she could only smile.

/Did you by any chance let Gytha into this little scheme of yours/

/Well no... sort of. She knows that I wish to reach Imladris as soon as possible./ Celeborn admitted.

/You can put weight on your leg now/ She asked, already knowing the answer to the question before he even spoke.

/Not exactly./ His thought 'tone' was wary.

/I would tell her if I were you. She will not be happy, being kept in the dark. How will you travel/ However he traveled, Celeborn was going to be sore and he would not be able to do it without at least four stops a day.

/By horse./

/You will ride/ She was shocked. If the pain in her leg was anything to go by, then this was going to be difficult.

/If I am allowed to./

/You will keep me informed with what is happening/ She had a few days to work on him before they left Bree. Perhaps he could persuade him to wait a while longer before leaving... as if she believed that!

/Of course. I would do nothing without you knowing, you know that/ Galadriel had to laugh at his words. He never needed her permission for anything.

/Of course not, meleth. I need to go. Banwen will be most worried./ Galadriel was loath to really leave Celeborn. It was such a relief just to hear from him.

/Just keep well and let me know what Elrond says? Take care, Meleth./

/If you will. Do as Gytha tells you/

/I will try./

"Galadriel? Galadriel! Are you sure this is a vision? Perhaps we should get Mellroth back to check her?" Banwen sounded close to tears as she rubbed one of Galadriel's hands between her own.

"I am certain. Nana will be awake shortly," Orophin sounded quite certain.

"I am awake." Galadriel let them know that she was once more able to hear what was being said.

"Nana! I will get the Miruvor, and your tea." Orophin moved to get the flask that he had obviously readied.

"Thank you, Orophin. Your Adar sends his love." She smiled at him gently. The young ellon seemed to glow at her words. The love between them all was strong.

"How is Ada?" He poured the Miruvor and brought it as he spoke.

"He has a broken knee." Galadriel sounded so smug that Orophin laughed in spite of the news of Celeborn's injury. "He is not happy at being forced to rest."

Banwen watched them closely. "You were right… your theory about your knee?"

"Yes, the pain I felt was when they re-set the broken bone in Celeborn's knee." She accepted the miruvor from Orophin. "He is better and should be leaving Bree to go on to Imladris by the end of the week. I need to contact Elrond this evening to let him know." As she spoke, she sipped the cordial.

"That is good, I will be happy when we are all together again." Orophin missed his family.

"Indeed, as will I." Galadriel knew how he felt. She turned to Banwen. "We need to discuss how we deal with the situation here and how we handle this."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The day was glorious. The sky was bright blue, the clouds white and fluffy. Birds graced the warming air with their joyous song. Trees were beginning to bloom and burst forth with the bright green of new spring leaves.

For Elrond, few days had ever been finer. The fact that he could see almost perfectly again was the most incredible thing he could ever imagine or put into words.

The joy of seeing his children's faces again was indescribable. Witnessing that Legolas was recovering with his own eyes made things seem that little bit more real.

"Are you hungry, Ada?" Arwen moved quietly to his side. "I have food for you and Legolas. I heard Gailarphen say that Legolas needs frequent small meals for now and I brought him some milk. I thought that might help his arm heal."

"That is good thinking, Arwen, and hennad, I am hungry. The milk will certainly help Legolas very much. You have eaten, sell-nin?" His voice was improving each and every time he woke. It would soon be back to normal. Gailarphen had already given him permission to speak as he wished.

"Yes, Ada, after I slept. I feel much better." Arwen's smile was bright and happy. She was greatly relieved that Ada was so much better.

"I am glad." Elrond's smile was equally as bright. "I will eat now. Give Legolas' his porridge before it goes cold."

Arwen nodded and moved away after setting down his bowl. Things were finally returning to normal in Imladris.

Arwen stopped before Legolas and Thranduil. "Hello, Penneth." Both smiled at her. Except for the age difference, they were almost identical, down to the dimples in their cheeks.

"Suilad, Arwen, did you sleep well?" To her eyes, Thranduil looked much better. His colour was normal and the sparkle had returned to his eyes.

"I did, Uncle Thranduil. It is now Elladan's turn to sleep. I wanted to spend some time with Legolas, now that he is awake and able to speak with me. I also brought him some light porridge and milk. I thought he might like that." She grinned at Legolas.

"Hennad, Arwen. My tummy is hungry." Legolas sounded puzzled. It had only been a short while ago that he had eaten. How could he be this hungry again?

"That is good, Legolas. All the meals you are eating are tiny, so that your tummy does not hurt afterwards. That is why you need to eat more often. It will come back and soon you will be eating with us." Arwen gently ruffled his hair. She really loved this elfling. He was so loving, yet he had been through so very much. It was heartbreaking.

"Ada is eating too?" He looked around to Ada with worry.

"I am fine, Legolas. I have eaten, remember, but I want you to clear that bowl and that cup." It would do his heart some good to see Legolas begin to eat well once more.

"I will, Ada. When can I shoot my bow?" The question caught them all by surprise. Perhaps they should have expected it, but Thranduil did not quite know how to answer the question.

Glorfindel saved Thranduil's hide on this occasion. "Your arm needs to rest and mend, Legolas. It will be some time before you can use your bow again." He smiled at the little Prince's scowl of disappointment. "But we will shoot together. I would be honoured if you would practice with me."

Legolas was about to take his first mouthful of food, but stopped, his eyes wide. "You want to shoot with me?"

Glorfindel smiled brightly. "Yes, Legolas, I do. I have heard that you are incredible with a bow. I want to see it for myself."

"But, I am just learning. I have barely started... Ada, can I?" He turned those startling blue eyes to his father.

Thranduil grinned. Was that excitement he heard in his son's voice? "How can I say no? If the Mighty Glorfindel wishes to fire arrows with my son, who am I to prevent it?"

"Thank you, Ada!" It seemed that Anor rose in the sky for Thranduil then. His son's smile made everything right in this day.

Legolas then turned to Glorfindel once more. "I can come! Ada said I could come and shoot with you! When?" If he could, Legolas would have bounced on the bed, that is, if his leg had not been aching and splinted before him.

"When you are well. You need to be able to stand and you cannot do that at the moment. You also need to be able to pull the bowstring, which you cannot do with a broken arm. Just give it a couple more weeks and you will be well enough to do both without pain and without your Ada scowling at you or Elrond scolding us both." Glorfindel grinned at Thranduil as he said this.

Glorfindel ruffled Legolas' hair and Legolas nodded gently before taking a mouthful of his porridge. He smiled at the creamy taste. It was different to the porridge they had at home. This was thick and creamy, while theirs was often watery and thin.

He decided he preferred this one.

"Do you like that, Legolas?" Thranduil asked, as he saw his son tucking in to the normally-hated meal.

"Yes, Ada." Legolas gave a milky grin, the white fluid hanging around his mouth like the moustache of an old Adan.

"Good, you have no idea how much that means to me." Thranduil gently hugged him. "So, Gailarphen, am I allowed out today for a short walk with Legolas?"

"I think that would do the pair of you much good and help you more than my herbs ever could." Gailarphen was well aware of how much the Woodland elves needed the fresh air and animals around them. "But only on one condition."

"What is that?" Thranduil could not stop the grin from crossing his face. They would be going out into the sunlight! He would accept any conditions.

"I want Elrohir, Glorfindel and Linnathon to go with you." Gailarphen was expecting an argument. The normally-temperamental Thranduil did not like being told what to do.

"I will accept that. Would you like that as well, Legolas?" He looked down at his young son and then blinked as he realised that the bowl was empty, almost scraped clean. "Legolas?" He could not hide his shock.

"More later, Ada, saes?" Legolas was licking his lips.

"You liked it that much?" Normally, he fought to get a quarter of this amount into Legolas. He would have to find out what the difference in the recipe was.

"Yes, Ada. We go and see the trees too?" Legolas asked, reaching out with his left hand for the cup of milk on the tray.

"Yes, Legolas, we will go out and meet the trees." He helped Legolas steady the cup to drink the milk.

"They are happy." Legolas quietly commented and then silence fell as Legolas concentrated on the milk. He wanted to hurry and get outside, to be with his friends.

"Easy, tithen Las." Thranduil wanted to laugh. Legolas was drinking the milk so quickly he could not possibly be stopping to breathe.

"Finished, Ada. We go now?" Eager blue eyes met Thranduil's and Elrond almost snorted with mirth. There was no doubt that Legolas was a Wood Elf, as if there had been doubt to start with.

"When Glorfindel and Elrohir return, we can go." Glorfindel had gone to collect Linnathon and Elrohir from the outer chamber.

"Alright." Legolas replied reluctantly. He wanted to go now.

"Gailarphen, a word?" Elrond called his friend over.

"Yes, Elrond?" Gailarphen had a feeling he knew what was coming next.

"Is there any medical reason I must stay on bed rest?" Grey eyes caught grey-blue and Elrond winked at him conspiratorially.

Gailarphen was willing to indulge Elrond a bit. He was healing well and in good spirits. "I can see no reason, as long as you are careful. In fact, I think now would be a good time to make my morning constitutional." He winked back, bending over to ask quietly. "You want to see Legolas with the trees and animals?"

Elrond smiled. "Yes, I wish to see it first hand, with my own eyes. His awakening happened so early..."

"It is very unusual." Gailarphen nodded, musing.

"Unusual? It is unheard of!" Elrond added. "I want to observe this."

"I can understand that, but if you feel pain or tired at all, I need to know, alright?" He pushed home the point.

"I understand." They had not even noticed that the others had joined them until a voice asked, impatiently.

"We go now!"

"Yes, Legolas. We can go now." Glorfindel told him as he crossed to their side. "I will carry you, Penneth, if you are happy with that?"

"Saes!" Legolas was more than happy enough with that. He was going to be carried by Glorfindel, his hero! If only some of his friends were here to see this, they would never believe him.

"Very well. Where is Fileg?" Glorfindel suddenly realised that Legolas was not holding his little friend.

"He is sleeping." Legolas pointed to the small yellow-and-grey ball of fluff and newly-emerging feathers near the pillow. Fileg had his head under his good wing and seemed settled where he was.

"Will he be alright where he is?" Glorfindel knew how close the two had become.

"He is sleeping. He will not wake." There was certainty in Legolas' voice, almost as if he was absolutely sure. Glorfindel had no doubt that he was.

"Very well. Shall we go?" He gently lifted Legolas into his arms. Thranduil stood slowly with help from Elrohir.

Gailarphen helped Elrond stand, albeit shakily. With Linnathon watching them closely, they made their way out of the Healing Wing to the small copse of trees that stood outside. It was far enough to be seen as truly outside yet near enough should they need to return in a hurry.

Glorfindel smiled at the small sigh that Legolas gave as they left the chamber. "You are glad to be outside?"

Before Legolas answered, he grinned and held out his hand. "Yes, the birds are happy and singing to the sky." The robin that had visited him earlier fluttered to land on his hand. "Hello, mellon-nin, I said that you would see me outside soon."

The bird chirped and chattered happily.

"Yes, the flower-buds are beginning to show, can you see? You need to begin building that nest." Legolas grinned happily.

"Ada, he wants to move to Mirkwood!" A frown soon replaced the smile. "I do not think that is a good thing to do. If you stay here, I could come and visit you. We could do that, could we not, Ada?" Bright eyes turned to Thranduil.

"Yes, Legolas, we could do that, if Elrond would allow it?" The King's blue eyes gleamed with mischief. He knew exactly what Legolas had been thinking, that the robin would become spider-food very quickly in the now-darkening forest that was their home.

"You both will ever be welcome here when you wish to visit. No invitation will ever be needed." Elrond reassured them. The robin chirped happily.

"He thanks you." Legolas' voice was a little shy. "He will bring his babies to see you."

The bird chirped and then flew to a branch of a large Mallorn to watch them.

"Would you like to say hello to my friend, Legolas? I have been talking with this tree for many a year. She has always sheltered me when I needed it." Thranduil led the way slowly to the tree the robin had chosen to shelter in.

"Robin is building his nest here." Legolas' eyes were shining with joy at being surrounded by the trees once more.

"Is he? He has chosen a very good place to nest in that case. This one..." Thranduil rested a palm against the tree in greeting. The tree seemed to shiver to the Noldor's eyes. "…has always had robins nesting in her, so he is in hallowed company."

"There are baby rabbits in the roots!" Legolas peered down at the ground, trying to find the opening so that he could see them.

"Yes, our friend is very pleased at how well they are growing. She is slowly awakening and soon will show her full glory." Thranduil looked over at Legolas and smiled. He always had to touch trees to contact them. Legolas, it seemed, did not. That would be an advantage in the coming fight with darkness.

"I would like to see them." Legolas' voice was wistful as he peered around him.

"I am sure you will before we go. I do not think you need to worry about that, penneth." Thranduil ruffled silky hair.

"I wanted to see them now." Legolas sounded so disappointed, but then he giggled. Thranduil turned back to him.

"Legolas?"

"Their Nana!" He giggled while pointing with his left arm to the base of the tree. Thranduil turned and there, peeking out from between the gnarled roots, was a grey head. It disappeared only to return and look directly at Legolas.

"Glorfindel, she wants me to go over to the tree." There was wonder and awe in his voice.

Thranduil and Glorfindel shared shocked and amused looks before Glorfindel began to move.

"What does she want to show you?" It was obvious that this was what was happening.

"Her laes, she wants to show me her laes but they are too little to come out yet." Legolas explained as they neared the base of the tree.

Elrond watched, amazed, as they both leaned over the root to look down into the hole. Legolas had this close an affinity to the song around him? This was one of the most amazing things he had seen in his long life. It was also something he had longed for. A memory surfaced of visions he had seen of the one who truly understood the song. It had been with him for many years. Elrond had seen him and yet he had not. Never had he seen the face behind the hand, or arrow, as the case was, many a time.

Now this recurring dream, or premonition, would stop. He was sure of that. He understood now, at least a part of what it meant.

"How old are they, Legolas?" Glorfindel was curious

"Two weeks, they will leave soon and make homes of their own. She says we can come back and I can stroke them. Can I, Ada?" Legolas sounded breathless with excitement.

"I am sure that can be arranged, Legolas." Thranduil watched as another robin flew to join their new friend in the tree, his mate.

"I like it here, Ada. It is nice." Legolas reached out and lovingly stroked the bark of the tree. They were all sure that the tree shivered and seemed to reach for Legolas, would have caressed him if it could reach. Even Thranduil was awed.

Legolas tilted his head, listening. "Where is the singing from? It is beautiful." Wide, blue eyes looked around, as if searching for something new.

The day was silent. None of the usual singing filled the air yet. There was no one singing, at least not that they could hear.

"What do you hear, tithen Las? Can you tell me where it is coming from?" Thranduil sounded worried.

"That way, Ada." Legolas pointed in the direction of a hidden pathway to the River Bruinen. "She is very sad. She wants her love."

That caused Elrond to stumble to a halt. He had been about to join them by the tree, but this little revelation stunned him. Legolas could hear the river as well? He thought that only he could make out the words clearly and that was only because of Vilya. Legolas could hear it without a Ring? He felt a little faint. Gailarphen's hand was firm on his arm as the stumble was noted. "Elrond?" The quiet inquiry was brushed to one side.

"Who is sad, Legolas?" Thranduil was puzzled again. He could hear nothing but the faint murmuring of the trees and faint hum of the Song about him. The Song was always this distant unless he touched the trees, talking directly to them.

"The river, she calls for her bonded." Legolas told them simply.

"What is her name, Legolas?" Glorfindel wanted to see if it was right. This would just be the right kind of proof that Legolas was indeed aware of the Song around him.

"She does not say, only that she sings for her love." Legolas looked at them with big sad eyes.

They could only stare at him in shock. Legolas had not yet begun to learn of such things. He was still learning the shorter version of elven history and the more important, basic things at present, like numbers and writing. The lore and legends would come later, when he was older, so there was no way he could have had previous knowledge.

"What does she say, Legolas?" Elrond could often hear the river's voice, but only because he wore Vilya and the river was part of the hidden valley's defenses. It could be gentle and beguiling or angry and haunting as the seasons changed. It could also roar in great anger when aroused, as the recent invaders had found to their great cost.

Only Elrond and his family, with Glorfindel and Erestor, numbered among those who could call on the river for aid, but to have another not of their kin able to hear it... Well, it was too much to contemplate.

"She calls for her love. She is sad and lonely where she is, in Valinor. She misses him." Legolas then turned innocent eyes to Elrond. "She misses you."

Elrond's heart lurched with a sudden pain of longing and he could only stare at Legolas in shock. Was Legolas speaking of his beloved Celebrían?

Beside him, Elrohir admitted softly. "Ada? When the river is quiet and calm, it is almost as if I can hear Nana calling to me." He looked into his Ada's face. "Could it be Nana?" There was sudden hope in his eyes, a hope that had long since been battered.

Elrond could not meet those eyes that looked so like his own, could not bear to see the hope that had appeared in them, a hope that could not be answered, no matter how much they wanted it, how much he wanted it.

"Ada?" Elrohir's smile faded.

"It… has been heard before, Ion-nin. I have heard it in my heart every time I come out to spend time alone by the river. It is your mother's voice, I think. I am not sure. I have tried not to think too much into it." Elrond admitted slowly, head bowed.

"You have heard it before?" Elrohir was a little stunned at that. "We could have heard Nana's voice and you said nothing!"

"Elrohir, it is a voice from memory, an illusion, nothing more. Your Nana is in Valinor. We cannot hear her here." There was certainty in Elrond's voice.

"She says you made them under the trees. She was happy here." Legolas' small voice was so low and yet Elrond startled. How in the name of the Valar could he have known about that special night so long ago?

"Legolas?" Even Thranduil sounded uncertain about what was going on.

"She liked it here, Ada. She liked to come and sit with the trees and the animals, away from the rush." Legolas looked around, unaware of just how tightly Glorfindel held him.

Elrond had to look away. That was just how his beloved Celebrían always explained the need to come out to the copse by the river at the oddest of times. Just to 'get away from the rush, to think.'

He had loved to join Celebrían there often, to sit with her and watch the river and the stars, to contemplate their life and what they would do with it, how many children they would have and even potential names. That was how one special night had started, all innocent and sweet. It had resulted in the joy of the birth of his sons.

"Legolas, who are you talking about?" Thranduil had more than a good idea but it seemed just a little too unreal to be true.

"I cannot say her name, Ada, it is too hard. It begins with a C." Legolas told him. "No one answers her. All she wants is someone she loves to answer her."

Elrond swayed where he stood. That was another of Celebrían's sayings. And the name began with a C? He tottered over to where Glorfindel stood with Legolas in his arms. Gailarphen moved with him to make certain that he was safe on his feet. This had to come as a great shock.

Elrond's voice shook as he spoke softly. "Legolas, was Celebrían the name?"

"That is it! You know her?" Legolas was curious.

Elrohir spoke as softly and as shakily as his father. "She is my Nana, Legolas."

"Your Nana?" Legolas' eyes went wide. "But… she wants to speak with you!"

"I will speak with her, Legolas, I promise. Hannon-le for telling us she was trying so hard. We should have heard and understood. I need to let..."

"Elrohir, what has upset you?" Elladan's voice came from behind them. He had run all the way from his room. The older twin could feel his brother's deep distress. It had awoken him from a deep sleep.

"The voice we heard here that day that we decided was our imagination?" Elladan skidded to a halt and nodded, confused. He looked to Ada, who seemed more distressed than Elrohir, if that was at all possible. "It was not our imagination." A single tear slid down Elrohir's right cheek.

"Not our imagination? Then what was it?" He looked from his brother to his father and back again, hoping someone would explain.

Thranduil spoke in a low tone to Glorfindel. "Maybe we should walk ahead and give them some privacy?" He did not want to be around when they explained to Elladan that his mother had been trying to call to them and none had heard. This was just a little too private.

"I agree. Gailarphen will make sure that Elrond does not overdo and Linnathon can follow us and see that you and Legolas do not overexert either." Glorfindel agreed that they did not want Legolas to see this.

With Linnathon by their side, they made for the river so that Legolas could see it for himself. There were some tales that they could share with him of their own years growing up.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Elladan asked the minute that they were alone. "What do you mean, it is not our imagination? Who could it be?"

"To answer your question I must tell you that Legolas had his awakening on the way here." Elrond had to tell them that to start with or they simply would not believe him.

"Awakening? Legolas? But, that is far too early!" Elladan looked at his father as if he had gone mad.

"I would have thought so too, but I have seen the evidence. Apparently, from what I have been told, Legolas decided once he had watched Thranduil communing with the trees, that he wanted to do so. While Thranduil was distracted, Legolas did just that." His words were met with shocked silence.

"Legolas did that, just like that?" Elrohir's voice was small.

"Yes he did." Elrond gave a single slow nod. Gailarphen remained silent at his side, supporting him.

"But, we could have lost him!" Elladan was terrified of just the thought. They had almost lost Legolas to Námo after his Nana's death, to have it happen again so frequently in the last few weeks was beyond rational thought.

"Very easily, except for one very important factor." Elrond led the way to the small grassy area that they all knew so very well and indicated he wanted to sit. He was not sure that his shaking legs would hold him up for much longer and his heart ached for his love.

"What was that, Ada?" Elrohir helped Gailarphen gently lower Elrond to sit.

"Legolas seems to know instinctively what to do. He was able to pull himself back without guidance and with no idea what was going on. You know Glorfindel's favourite saying." He looked at the three of them.

Elladan answered the question. "The Valar move in the most mysterious and amazing of ways."

"Yes and we have to wait and see what their reason is. But for now, we know that Legolas has the most incredible gifts and he seems to use them as naturally as breathing." Elrond sighed with relief as he realised that his legs had stopped shaking.

"What does this have to do with the voice we heard?" Elladan's inquiry was soft and hesitant. He was not sure that he really wanted to know.

"Because the voice you heard then, he heard today and could make perfect sense of it. The voice was that of the Bruinen." Elrond admitted to his eldest son.

"The river? Legolas could understand her?" Elladan's voice was coloured with shock.

"Yes, perhaps better than we could." Elrond gave a sad sigh.

"Ada?" The two brothers looked at each other with worry.

"The voice belongs to your mother. She may be trying to reach us from Valinor, to let us know that she is alright and I fear she may think we have ignored her. She must be hurting so much." He could only shiver at the thought. They had ignored her!

"Nana? We were hearing Nana?" Elladan looked more than a little stunned.

"I believe so, I truly think that what Legolas has told us is true and that your Naneth is trying to contact us. Perhaps Ulmo has granted her this favor. We need to take the time and go and speak with her." Elrond's voice was quiet as he spoke.

Understanding hit them all at the same time. They could speak with her once more. They could actually communicate with their lost one, something that they had never believed was possible until they reached Valinor.

Joy seemed to spring to life inside them.

"When?" Elladan asked.

"Possibly the best time would be when it is quieter tonight, you two should come first. If it is your mother, I would like to speak with her alone." Elrond admitted.

Elrohir nodded and agreed. "We understand that, Ada, you will want privacy."

"Hennad, there will be much I wish to say. You are both alright with this?" Elrond was also aware that this would have been as much of a shock to them as it was to him.

"Yes, Ada, we are going to speak with Nana thanks to Legolas! We need to tell Arwen. She will be so excited about this." Elladan was smiling happily.

"Are you alright with this, Ada?" Elrohir was suddenly aware that his father looked pale and strained. Perhaps this had been too much for him after all.

"I am well. We should join the others before they become worried." Elrond held out his hand to be helped up from the ground where his legs had stiffened during the conversation.

Elrohir helped him up gladly and all three shared a brief hug before leaving to join the others, aware of the burns that dotted his father's body, they were healing yes, but they had to be sore still.

Gailarphen stood by the small pathway that the others had taken. It was close enough that he had a clear view of Elrond but private enough not to hear what they were saying.

He turned to greet them. "All is well?"

"Aye, and hennad, Gailarphen, we needed the privacy." Elrond thanked his old friend.

"I know. You are feeling alright?" Gailarphen was watching him closely. Elrond looked decidedly shaky.

"I am well, why do you all keep asking me that?" There was a slight edge to his voice as he spoke.

"You just look very pale and I do not think it wise that you push yourself like this, especially if you wish to return to the river this evening." Gailarphen told him, not in the least bit fazed by Elrond's question.

"How did you know that?" Elrond could not help but ask.

I know you, mellon-nin, I know you well. We will come this evening so that you can speak with Celebrían." Gailarphen smiled at Elrond's surprise. He loved it when he surprised Elrond like this, it was very unusual.

"Hennad once more." They walked slowly down the path that the others in their party had taken earlier.

"You are welcome. Legolas' connection is quite strong, is it not?" Gailarphen asked.

"Yes, it is. I have never seen a link this open. I will be watch him very closely as he grows. I think we can expect great things of our little Caun."

The path before them was widening and soon they would reach the area where the river curved. There was a large open area that was used for picnics and playing elflings.

They could already hear Legolas' excited giggling from where they were.

"I hope that they are not over-exerting Legolas. He is still far from well." Gailarphen was already worrying.

"It will do him some good to be happy and in the fresh air." Elrond commented.

"Yes, but not if he overtaxes himself!" Gailarphen was ready for when the trees thinned and he could get his first good glimpse of Legolas and Thranduil. Only then would he relax properly.

Legolas sat on the ground, his back to them. Thranduil was also sitting with his son but he was facing them, face wreathed in smiles. He looked up as they walked into the clearing.

"Is all well, mellon-nin?" Thranduil glanced to Elrond with gentle concern.

"All is well, Thranduil. Are you and Legolas alright?" He wanted to be sure Thranduil truly was alright, after the scares of earlier.

"Yes. Legolas has made yet another new friend." Mischief sparkled in Thranduil's eyes.

"Oh?" They had drawn level with the others and Elrond could finally see what was making Legolas smile.

Before Legolas, on the ground, was a red squirrel. It was using its bushy tail to tickle the small prince.

Elrond could only smile at the sight. "I can see that!" He sat with a sigh. "What is his name?"

"Red." Legolas looked up happily. "He lives in the oak tree there."

Legolas pointed to a large tree in the middle of the clearing.

"Does he now?" They all joined the small group. Elrond rejoiced in the fact that he could see properly once more. To his eyes, the small Prince looked better than he had in a long while. Colour filled his cheeks and he was smiling that bright, happy smile they all had missed so much.

"Yes, he likes the nuts she grows. He has lived there a while." Legolas reached out to tickle the small animal who chattered and moved away only to shake his tail at the elfling in invitation. Once again Legolas giggled.

"I am glad you are making new friends, Penneth." Elrond smiled gently at him.

"There are also deer, but they are a little shy, and mice, Hir Elrond, a whole family of mice!" Legolas was speaking excitedly. "They came to see us, did they not, Ada? We fed them some crumbs!" In front of Legolas was a small amount of crumbs that had once been a biscuit.

"Yes, we did, Ion-nin. It was lucky that you had that biscuit in your pocket." Thranduil's voice was dry as he spoke to his son.

"I was saving it for emergencies, Ada." Legolas gravely explained and Elrond had to bite his cheek to keep from laughing. He had been there and dealt with elflings doing such a thing before. Thranduil was in for an entertaining time of it in the coming years, if Legolas was anything like his sons…

"Then the mice were very lucky." Glorfindel spoke in a serious tone though his eyes sparkled merrily.

"They did seem happy." Legolas was now stroking the bushy tail and the squirrel seemed to be very happy to allow that. He turned blue eyes to Elrond. "Will you speak with her?"

Elrond did not need to ask who Legolas was talking about. "Yes, we will come back later this eve to speak with her."

Legolas beamed and turned to face the river. "She is very happy and looks forward to it. She sends her love."

Once again a stunned silence filled the clearing. Elrond eventually broke the silence. "I am glad about that and very happy. I miss her greatly."

The rest of the visit was spent in companionable silence and laughter, Many of the animals in the copse came out to visit them, although the real reason was Legolas' presence in the group.

Finally, as the afternoon was drawing to a close, Gailarphen made the decision to return to the healing wing. Legolas did not argue. He was too happily tired for that. They had also promised him that they would return again tomorrow for him to see his new friends.

He snuggled into Glorfindel's arms as they made their way silently back to the healing wing, his eyes closed as sleep claimed him.

Glorfindel smiled down at the little Prince. This had been one of his better ideas. Legolas looked more content and his colour was so much better. He was indeed a Wood Elf through and through!

"It has done him some good to be out in the fresh air." Thranduil's voice was soft as he looked down at his sleeping son.

"You as well." Glorfindel had to admit, Thranduil did indeed look much better than he had before they left the chamber.

"It does my heart good to be out here among the trees. It also helps to see that Legolas is happy and recovering. He is my whole world now, next to the people of Mirkwood." Thranduil hated that name and yet he was well aware of how apt the name was, given the Shadow growing there

Mirkwood had and was becoming just that with its giant, intelligent spiders and orcs. Valar even the squirrels were black! Oh, to return to the verdant forest of his youth!

"You have us as well, mellon-nin. We are here with you." Glorfindel reassured him. He wished that he could reach out for the King, but he had both hands full with a rather precious burden, one that was growing more precious by the second.

"Hennad, Glorfindel. I cannot thank you enough. We need to talk at some point, you and I, when Legolas is not there?" Thranduil silently conveyed what he needed with his eyes, rather than speaking the words aloud.

Glorfindel more than understood what Thranduil was talking about and he for one was relieved. Had Thranduil spoken to anyone about the grave loss that he had experienced? Not that he was aware of.

"We will speak whenever you wish, mellon-nin. You know I am always available with a ready ear and a good glass of Dorwinion."

"I am most grateful, mellon-nin. We will do that." Thranduil promised him.

"Good, for now let us get you all back and rested." He could see just how tired Thranduil was. The trip, small though it was, had taken a lot out of all of the injured.

"Perhaps that would be best. I am a little tired." Thranduil admitted reluctantly.

"Then come." Glorfindel led the way back, with Linnathon and himself on either side of Thranduil. Behind them came Elrond, flanked by his sons, with Gailarphen close behind him.

The healing wing was calm when they got there and the first thing that Gailarphen did after making sure the three injured were settled was to go and check on the others. Doroniel and Calandor were fast asleep, their hands entwined across the space. It would take a lot for them to break contact and it was doing them both the world of good from what Gailarphen could see.

Yes, their growing bond would be helpful in their recovery.

He then made his way across to Nestoron. Faelien still sat by his side, although she was slumped and fast asleep. He would persuade her to sleep for a time in one of the beds nearby. This would not help her or their laes, after all, and after their collapse, Gailarphen would not let anything happen to either Faelien or the laes if it came to that.

Nestoron was still asleep with the aid of the poppy tea that he had been given earlier. Gailarphen reached to check his pulse. Sleep would aid his recovery. With the latest news of the damage to his back, it would do more good than harm.

The pulse was even and his skin warm and supple. The shock was leaving the healer's system. This was all to the good. Now if they could get him…

"Ada!" Elrohir's surprised voice called out in the calm silence and Gailarphen turned to see what the problem was.

Elladan and Elrohir were trying, unsuccessfully to hold Elrond up. His eyes were wide and staring. Glorfindel looked to the other healer.

"He is having a vision." He did not know whether or not to be pleased or worried about this fact. "I should be relieved to hear that, but I am not, not when he is still recovering." Gailarphen fretted as he helped them lift him to the bed. This would just put more strain on Elrond's already weakened body.

"What will happen?" Elladan sounded worried about his father, as well he might.

"He will be utterly exhausted. Elladan, make sure that you both stay with your adar." That was an unnecessary instruction, as if they would move from his side! "Linnathon, I want miruvor and sweetened tea ready when Elrond wakens, plenty of sweetened tea at that." Gailarphen warned him.

"I will make sure that it is here." Linnathon hurried off. Gailarphen watched Elrond worriedly. Why did this have to happen now? Why not in a day or two, when Elrond was even further along the road of recovery? Still, at least he would not have to think of an excuse as to why Elrond could not 'speak' with the river later that night. He would not be well enough and this may just save him an argument.

"Good, please do." He sat next to Elrond. Until he was out of this vision, he would not leave his side. Thank the Valar that he did not have this vision even just a day ago. The implications would have been huge and he did not even want to give them thought.

"Will Ada be alright, Gailarphen?" There was quiet worry in Elladan's voice as he grasped his father's hand.

"Yes, he will just be very tired and need a lot of rest when he wakens." Gailarphen hurried to reassure him.

"We will make sure that he gets it." Elrohir told him gravely.

"I know that. We all will." Gailarphen smiled at them both.

They all settled back to wait. It was hard, harder than the last time that Elrond had a vision.

It seemed like hours before Elrond stirred but in reality was only about fifteen minutes. It just felt a lot longer.

When Elrond groaned, Elrohir moved first. "Adar?"

"El?" It was a groan more than a word. Elrond did not even open his eyes, just moved his head towards the voice.

"It is Elrohir, Ada, although Elladan is here with me as and Gailarphen, Glorfindel and the others are watching." Elrohir told him hurriedly.

"You need to drink this, Elrond. It will help you." Gailarphen helped him to sit forward and put the goblet to his lips.

"What?" Elrond was still a little confused.

"It is just miruvor and then a little sweetened tea." Gailarphen tried to be soothing. It seemed to work, although Elrond was a little more confused than he expected him to be.

Luckily, Elrond took it without any real fight, and Gailarphen was pleased to see that his colour was improved because of it.

"What did you see, Ada?" Elladan was sure that it had been a proper vision.

"No vision, DaerNana." The miruvor helped Elrond greatly.

"You saw DaerNana?" Elladan shared a confused look with his twin.

"No, not vision, just contact." Elrond sounded impossibly weary.

Gailarphen shushed them as they tried to interrogate him further. "Was it important?"

"No." Elrond spoke with a yawn.

"Good, then we can discuss this at a later time. If it needs no direct action, then it will wait." There was warning in Gailarphen's voice and the others nodded their agreement. Now that they knew it was not urgent, they could relax.

"Sleep, Ada, losto mae. We will be here when you awaken." Elrohir was grateful that his father could see them now.

"But not before you drink that sweetened tea." Gailarphen added in no uncertain terms.

"I will need to use the bathing chamber, should you keep pouring all these fluids into me." Elrond grouched.

"Now you know how I feel, mellon-nin, when you get me in your clutches!" No one had noticed that Thranduil had awoken from his nap. He looked refreshed.

Elrond scowled at him. Did Thranduil really have to be so impossibly cheerful when he ached so terribly?

"You deserve it, or should I set the 'Elleth of Morgoth' on you?" His voice sounded weak even to his own ears.

"You would not? That is blackmail!" Thranduil looked at him in shock.

"I would, unless you stop being so blasted cheerful!" There was really a growl in his voice

"It is not my fault!" Thranduil glared back just as balefully.

"Elflings, elflings, you either behave or I will put you in separate chambers!" Gailarphen's voice was filled with laughter. This was more like the friendship they knew.

"Is there a problem?" Mithrandir spoke from the doorway.

"No, just the usual!" Gailarphen smiled at the Maia, it felt incredibly good to be able to say that, to admit that their friendship was based on something more solid than just being Lord and King of their respective Realms, but on a binding bond that had started in their youth and would continue to only grow.

"Ah, so Elrond is grouchy and sore and Thranduil is teasing him!" It was not even a question, more a statement of fact.

"Indeed." Gailarphen was quite happy about that. Everything seemed to be getting back to normal, or so it seemed.

"I am not grouchy!" Elrond sounded even more disgruntled, if that was possible.

"I am not teasing him!" Thranduil almost shouted but kept it low for fear of waking the sleeping elfling in his arms. He then stopped. That had been just what we had been doing. He looked at Elrond and they grinned before both said in unison.

"Yes we are!"

The laughter that filled the healing wing was welcome and warm.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"It is for me?" Wide hazel eyes looked at him from beneath dark lashes.

"Yes, penneth, all for you." Ivorhen smiled at the excited child. Gytha would not let him out of bed, even for this. He could not really stand, but the child could come to him.

"Just for me?" If anything, Tiera's eyes widened.

"Just for you, from me." It was obvious from Bethany's face that she was as touched as the others by the scene. Celeborn smiled proudly at Ivorhen. "Would you like to see it?"

She gave a big nod that shook almost the whole top half of her body. She was practically bouncing on the spot with excitement.

"Well then, here you are." He handed over the rabbit that had been placed in a small bag for protection.

"Thank you." Tiera could not take her eyes off of her present. She grasped the bag as if she would never let it go. Perhaps she thought the bag was the present?

"Open it." He encouraged her when she made no move to open it.

She carefully moved so that she could sit on the bed with her present on her lap, then slowly opened the bag, peaking in, a little disappointed that it was too dark to see what it was.

"It will not bite you." Ivorhen leaned back on his pillows to watch as her face looked worried before she smiled slightly.

Tiera opened the bag fully and pulled out… a fluffy, furry brown toy rabbit. It even had big tall ears and a button nose like a real rabbit. All she could do was hug it as she looked at him eyes wide with tears. She had never had such a gift.

"A wabbit. Thank you a weal wabbit." She could not pronounce the word properly, but that did not matter to him. What mattered to Ivorhen was the joy that shone from her face.

"Yes, Penneth, a rabbit, and I have a present for your little brother as well." He handed over another bundle to Bethany for Erwan.

"What is it?" Tiera was just as excited for her brother as she had been about her own present.

"You will see." Ivorhen shared smiles with all of the adults.

This was most definitely the best part of presents, the giving.

Tiera watched as Ma opened the bag to pull out a carved wooden horse. Bethany held it out as her son's small hands reached for it with a giggle.

"Thank you, Ivorhen, thank you so very much." There was warm gratitude in Bethany's eyes.

"You are welcome, it was my pleasure. I had help." He told her.

"But the idea was totally yours." Celeborn chimed in.

"You hurt." Tiera's small voice sounded and the hand reached for Ivorhen. He pulled back gently. Now that they were aware of her empathy, they could prevent Tiera from overtaxing herself.

"You are in pain? Really, Ivorhen! You should know better than that!" Gytha bustled about, making a tea, before he even had a chance to say a thing.

"Would you like a hug, Penneth?" Ivorhen decided to ignore the healer and concentrate on the child instead.

Tiera nodded and Hyacinth moved in to help her climb closer to Ivorhen without causing any harm.

"Thank you for my pressie." Tiera yawned. She was still tired and My Elf was so warm and comforting to lean against.

"I am very glad you like him. Will you name him?" Ivorhen happily settled her against his left side.

Tiera hugged the toy rabbit and shrugged. It did not look as if she would let go of it anytime soon.

"You will find the perfect name for him soon." He told her gently. He was glad that both children liked his presents. He could do little enough for them to start with.

"Yes, she will. You, in the meantime, will drink all of that." Gytha handed him a goblet full of medicine, noting with her sharp eyes that he took it with his left hand again, not his right. That was worrying. It meant that he was aware of the loss of feeling in his right hand and this was just one way it showed.

"Thank you." Ivorhen quietly nodded as he raised the goblet.

She sighed. They really did like making this hard. "How do you feel?" She could see the pain in his eyes, but he cleverly tried to keep it hidden from Tiera, not that she was fooled either.

"Better than I did." It was a very unhelpful answer.

"Drink that, and then I will look at your arm and leg." Two could play at that game.

"But, I just…" Ivorhen started to protest.

"You just will not even attempt to use your right arm." Gytha crossed her arms and looked at him in triumph.

"Oh." What more was there that he could say? He had been caught and he had not even been aware that he was doing it. He drank the tea before sheepishly handing the goblet back.

"Good, now Tiera, stay there and watch him for me?" Tiera gave a proud nod at being included, but Gytha figured it would keep her amused and content. "Hold your hand up."

To her great relief, he could actually lift it from the bed, even if it shook terribly with the strain.

"That is good." She declared with a pleased smile.

"Good!" He looked at her with disbelief clearly written all over his fair face. He had been horrified that it had been so hard to do.

"Yes, it could be much worse. You could be unable to even lift your arm." She told him archly and he looked away. "Hold my hand." She took the right hand and began to gently massage it.

"I can feel that." Relief coloured Ivorhen's voice.

"Good, everywhere?" Gytha ran her fingers over his hand so that he could feel the sensation.

"Yes, faintly. That is good, right?" He watched with eager hope in his eyes.

She could not discourage him at a time like this. "Yes, that is good."

His grin was answer enough. It fairly shone in the chamber.

"Make a fist?" She instructed him.

It took him some time and a lot of hard work, but he finally managed to make a loose fist. His grin of triumph was erased by a grimace from the pain that flared in his head.

"My Elf alright?" Tiera stroked his left hand and the pain vanished as if it had never been there.

"I am well, Tiera." He reassured her.

"Good, and Helf Elf glad too." She told him seriously, holding up her new toy.

"Helf Elf?" For a minute none of them realised what she had said, or meant for that matter.

"Helf Elf." She held up the rabbit. "Like Helf Elf?" It seemed to be a simple rhyming name, as many children come up with.

Ivorhen looked at her open-mouthed for a minute and then he smiled, if only she knew the translation of 'helf' in Sindarin meant furry!

"That is a very good name for him." Ivorhen had to fight to keep his face straight.

He heard Celeborn smother a laugh, which did not help matters much.

Tiera beamed brightly at him.

"You need to rest." Gytha told him. "It is the only way you are going to get better, as well as doing the exercises I am going to give you."

"I will be traveling with Celeborn." There was grim determination in Ivorhen's voice.

"What makes you think I will be letting Celeborn travel?" She grinned archly.

"You said he could travel at the end of the week…"

"No, I said that he would travel if I was happy. As yet, I am not happy." Gytha had a stubborn set to her jaw.

"You will prevent him from going to Imladris?" Ivorhen looked totally shocked as she began to examine his leg. If she thought that Celeborn would accept that easily, then she was in for a huge shock. "He will not be happy about that!"

"I will not be happy if he tries to leave without my permission" Gytha shot Celeborn a look that would have frozen the lava from Mount Doom. "I have learned a few tricks from Elrond, after all."

Ivorhen gaped at her. She was serious. He knew all too well that Elrond had a penchant for making people sleep and the thought that he had taught Gytha his tricks, well, it stunned him, to say the least.

"I keep telling you that I need to get to Imladris!" Celeborn gently pushed himself into a sitting position.

"When you cannot even put weight on that leg?" Gytha scoffed at him.

"I have three days to recover and you will be surprised at the speed with which we heal!" Celeborn shot back, knowing that she knew this as well, but he wanted to make the point.

"I know, but in three days…" Gytha stopped as a sudden sob filled the air.

"My Elf going away?" Hazel eyes were filled with tears and Tierra's lower lip trembled.

Gytha tried to cheer her. "Not for a while, Darling. He is not well enough. Even when he does go, I am sure that you will see him again."

"Actually, Tiera, would you like to take a trip with Ivorhen? Erwan and I will be going with you?" Bethany asked gently, aware that Ivorhen looked up in shock.

She smiled gently in response. While he had been unconscious, she had spoken with Celeborn about her daughter, Tiera. They decided to seek Elrond's help to cope with the child's gift, or burden, whichever way you chose to look at it.

"Go with My Elf? Da?" Her first thought was that her father should go too.

"Da has to stay here with Gytha, but he will come and join us all very soon. Would you like to see Ivorhen's home?" Bethany had an idea that she already knew the answer to that one.

"See My Elf home? Take Helf Elf?" Tiera was still hugging the rabbit toy tightly.

"Yes you can bring Helf Elf. We would not want to leave him behind, would we? He could not help to look after you." Ivorhen reassured her.

"And Woody?" Tierra's tears had dried up and she was happily hugging the rabbit once more.

"Woody?" The adults looked at each other in confusion and then turned to her once more.

"Erwan's horsie, he wants to call it Woody. I told him it was a good name." She announced happily.

Tiera was unaware of the shocked silence and looks that were passed about above her. For her, it was just natural that she spoke to her brother, she always had done, this was just normal for her.

Bethany came out of her shock first. They needed to be calm with this and find out exactly what Tierra meant, how could they help her otherwise?

"What do you mean, you talked to Erwan?" They had not heard Erwan utter a word since his mother had woke up, not that that was unusual for him.

"He always talks to me, Ma, since he came." It was said so matter-of-factly that Gytha blinked at her.

Bethany then realised that Tierra had always known when Erwan needed her or needed something. Bethany just thought that it was because they were so incredibly close.

"He talks to you?" Bethany repeated. How many more shocks would she get from her daughter? Was Tiera an empath that could talk to others without speaking? She had never heard of that, even in her family.

How could a baby talk?

"How does he talk to you, Penneth?" Ivorhen's voice was gentle.

"Here." Tierra placed her hand over her heart. She looked over at Erwan. A bright smile graced her face. "He likes horsie. He happy, but hungry, tummy hungry."

"It has been some time since he ate. He is actually overdue a feeding." Bethany admitted and then blushed.

"You were caught up in preparing the presents, Darling." Gytha approved of Bethany very much and had even decided to approach her about doing some Healer training when she returned from Imladris. She could use someone with such a sensible head.

"I should still have realised. I wish we had known about Tiera before." She fretted. How could she not have known all this about her own child? Her only comfort was that her husband had not known either.

"It would have helped after the recent battle, when we could not find him." Gytha admitted. "But he is happy and well, so I would not be that concerned."

"I will get him some food. Do you want to stay with Ivorhen, Sweetling?" Bethany gently brushed Tiera's hair from her face in affection.

"Yes, Ma, he warm." Tierra yawned again, she was so tired.

"Come and hug me, Penneth. I need a hug. I am glad that you will be coming to Imladris with us." Ivorhen made a point of lifting his shaky right arm. He was determined to use it now, no matter how much it hurt or how hard it was.

Gytha could only shake her head in exasperation. Men! They were all the same, be they elf or human!

Tiera settled in Ivorhen's arms, her rabbit still clutched tightly. Tierra settled herself beside him, happy to be near him once more. He was warm and smelt of the forest and it was so comforting.

Gytha doubted she would let the toy go for quite some time to come. Still, they made a lovely pair.

"Is that better, Tierra?" Ivorhen held still as she settled happily and she nodded. He noticed a thumb making its way to her mouth. Yes, she was very content and if she was happy, then so was he. He winked at Gytha and began to lowly hum under his breath. It was his favourite song and sang of the beauty of Imladris. All the elflings loved him to sing the song and he did not feel that Tierra would be any different.

He was right. By the time he had finished the first chorus Tierra's eyes were drooping. No one made a sound. They did not wish to re-awaken her.

Ivorhen gently brushed her hair from her forehead as he told the tale of how Imladris was founded by Elrond and then protected. Although he left out the part of how well Imladris was protected, one never knew who was listening after all!

Tierra settled back with a contented sigh as she settled into sleep, a small contented smile graced her face.

"She is sweet." Ivorhen's voice was as soft as a summer breeze.

"She is very special to us. We all hope that they will be able to help her cope with her gift in Imladris." Gytha's voice was just as soft.

"I will make certain that Tiera is helped, trust me. She will ever be welcome in my home, you all will." Ivorhen told her.

"I know, and we thank you." She smiled at him widely and it broadened as he yawned. "But for now it is time for you to get some rest. It will aid your recovery."

Ivorhen nodded, his eyes were suddenly heavier than he had ever known them. They closed without a fight.

Gytha nodded seriously. It was as she had thought. Ivorhen was exhausted. She was glad that she had added the sleeping herb to his pain tea. He obviously needed it. She moved away with a song on her lips.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Caric sighed from where he sat in the chair. He looked about the office that was now officially his.

The tunnel had been blocked so that it could no longer be used, as had the gate that had been hidden. The room was an entire mess, even though it had been 'tidied' to a certain extent. Some of the papers were still scattered here and there on the floor and some still lay where they had partly smouldered in a vain attempt to destroy them.

It would take some time to find out what had really been going on, but thanks to Celeborn they did at least have some sort of start.

Caric sighed again before shifting his leg where it rested atop a pillow on another chair.

"Are you hurting, Da?" Wolraven poked his head around the broken door.

"Nay, just thinking of how much work we have to do." Caric admitted even though his leg was beginning to ache again.

"We will get there with it, Da. You know you have my help and Ma's, when she returns." Caric reassured him. He came in with a handful of papers and sat at the desk beside his father and began to look through them. He made two piles. One for the papers that he thought were important and needed to be looked at properly, and then another for ones he thought were not important.

"Can I help?" Caric offered.

"Nay, sit and rest. Gytha will have my hide if I let you overtire yourself." Caric watched as Raven set aside another paper.

"She is throwing her weight around, now that she can." He snorted.

"Probably, Da, but you do need looking after sometimes as well." Wolraven smiled at his father.

"I do not!" Caric shot back, but he knew that his son was right. It was also the reason that he had been so shocked when he had been offered the position as Mayor. He knew that he had times when he was muddled. Eirien told him so regularly and had asked him to see the healer, but while He held the post he would not give him the satisfaction. Now that Irfan was gone, he would certainly consider talking to Gytha and perhaps even Elrond when he saw him next.

But that then raised the other question. Why, when he had been having these attacks several times of the day, had they suddenly stopped and why had he just realised?

"By the love of the gods! I would kill him if he were not dead!" Wolraven had stopped reading a piece of parchment. His cry startled Caric.

"What is it?" He looked over, knowing all too well what he would see. It was not often that Wolraven lost his temper, but when he did it was well to stay out of the way.

"He ordered that you be drugged!" Wolraven looked up at Caric, his eyes flashing. "This is a message from his 'Master' saying that you were to be made to look old and infirm and he was to do it any way he wished short of killing you!"

"That does answer one of my worries. I wondered why I had stopped having my 'spells'." Caric told him.

Wolraven crossed the chamber, with the parchment in hand knelt beside his father. "You think you were drugged?"

"Aye, it seems likely. I would wager that Irfan played his part as well." Caric was certain of that.

"How could they have gotten the drugs to you?" It made perfect sense to Wolraven. The previous Mayor had actively been working against their family.

"I suspect in my food at the gatehouse, or my ale. It may be best to speak to Gytha about this later on. She will have to know." Caric knew what she would do and dreaded it.

"Aye, and if you do not tell her, I will." Wolraven warned.

"I will. Is there anything else of interest there?" Caric gestured for the pile of papers.

"Just the usual, more letters from 'Master' with instructions." He held up a piece of scorched parchment.

"Oh?" Caric raised an eyebrow at that and gently moved his leg. He would need some pain herbs soon, but if he admitted it to his son he would be taken back to the healing ward in short order. They really did have work to do to get Bree back to where it should be.

"Yes, this one ordered him to move the gold and make sure that the provisions we ordered were either ruined or well past their best." Caric shook his head in disgust. "And then there were the orcs and their instructions. I wish that I could kill them all!"

"Cadeyrn has already met his doom in the next realm and I am sure that he will suffer and reap his rewards there." Caric truly believed that the evil you did in life was atoned for tenfold in death.

"But Irfan hasn't!" It was a growl. "If only we had not sent him away!"

"But your Ma did and I for one am glad. It is one less headache at a time when we need to concentrate on other things." It was time to look to the future and leave the past firmly in the past.

"Yes, but it is nice to dream, and plot!" Wolraven smiled at that.

"True, but we have other things that we need to concentrate on. Is there anything that says where the stolen money may have gone?" If they had proof, perhaps they could get the money back. That would help matters along nicely.

"A few names, but nothing for certain. We may have to wait and talk to Cadeyrn's wife and see if she was left with any papers." Wolraven thought the possibility of that was huge.

"That is something that should be seen to straight away. The longer we wait the more suffering will continue here. I believe that they have suffered enough. I want that to be done, Raven. Will you see to it for me?" Caric made that decision on the spot.

Wolraven grinned at the change in his father. This was the strong, decisive man that he knew from the past and not the stumbling, forgetful man he had become. Ma would be amazed, stunned and so happy to see this.

"Of course, Da, I will see that our best men go and retrieve them." He would not go himself, not until he knew that Briena and her intended were well. He wanted to stay near Da for now too, this may not be over yet.

"Good, what else is there?" Caric winced. His leg was getting worse, the pain increasing.

Wolraven spotted it.

"Nothing, for now. We will come back again on the morrow, although I would appreciate if Celeborn could look over these." Wolraven lifted his sparkling eyes to look at his father. "We will do more tomorrow. You need to rest that leg." He picked up the stout wooden stick that his father was currently using to help him walk. "Here you are, Da. You hold onto that and I will help you stand."

He matched actions to words and soon the two of them were hobbling from the office.

"We need a new door and Brennus will need a new desk." Caric commented as they walked through the ruined door.

"Something else I will see to, Da, just leave all that to me." Wolraven promised him.

Caric nodded and glanced at his son. He was glad to see him like this again. This was his son, the son he thought he had lost after that dreadful time...

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The figure slipped up to the large windows of the healing wing as quietly as he could. It surprised him that at this time of the year the elves had the windows wide open. How could they stand it this cold?

He was bundled up warmly with the blankets from his bed for this little adventure. He was not fool enough to get a chill. The last thing he needed was to catch the coughing illness that always killed, no matter what he had done to try to help his patients in the past. It was a gentle way to go. He thought of it as 'the silent helper of the old', but that did not mean that he wanted to get it either.

He was not that daft, after all. He was a good healer, no matter what some people in Bree thought. No doubt Eirien had turned the elves against him, but that did not matter, not now.

The dear, sweet Lady Ruthwen had told him what the elves had done to her, making such a delicate and sensitive creature like her do such menial and disgusting tasks! It made him so angry! He would make sure that it would happen no more.

And as for the one that was trying to steal her loved one... Well, she would live to regret her actions. She had made the last mistake.

He hid his bulk beside the window and listened. He had a simple mission, a golden plan. Ruthwen had suggested it and she was so right. All he had to do was listen to their plans and report back to his lovely Lady, such lush dark hair and beautiful, dark eyes...

He shook himself to clear his head. He could not get lost in her beauty now. He had done that once and found that he had lost most of the morning! He did not have that luxury.

He bent closer to the open window so he could hear all that was said.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Legolas sighed as he and Fileg settled back against Ada. He was feeling much better and yet his leg ached unmercifully. He did not dare tell Ada. They would make him take more of that awful tea and it would make him sleep and miss all that was happening around him.

He did not want that. Another thing he wished was that he could suck him thumb. He knew he was too old for it, yet it was such a comfort and only something he did when he was injured or missing his Naneth terribly, but that seemed to be all the time now.

He missed her warmth and her song. He tried to do as Doroniel told him to think of Naneth as she had been and not as the Monsters had left her, but the scene filled his thoughts every time he closed his eyes. All he wanted was a hug from her, to see her smile and hear her laughter once more.

Legolas did not realise that he had sobbed or that his breath had hitched a little as his thoughts were flooded by memories of Naneth.

"Ion-nin?" Thranduil was alerted to the fact that his son was not happy and he hugged him gently.

Large, sad blue eyes turned to look at him. Thranduil felt his heart crack at the sight of his son's grief. He had thought that they were over this, that Legolas was beginning to recover.

"It is alright, Ion-nin, I am here. I will not leave you. Lean on me." He hugged Legolas to him, aware that all the eyes in the chamber were on them. Fileg peeped in worry.

"I am alright, Fileg." Legolas' voice was sad.

"Maybe you should tell your father that you hurt, Youngling." Gwaihir's voice was soft and gentle. The last thing he wanted was to cause Legolas to jump and cause himself further pain.

"You hurt, Legolas?" Thranduil looked at his son in alarm. "How badly and why did you not tell me?"

"Not want to sleep." Legolas' voice was small and he stroked the distressed duckling.

"We can give you something that will help the pain and not make you sleep. You should not be in pain." Gailarphen had hurried over to them as soon as Gwaihir had spoken. "What hurts you, Penneth?"

"My leg, it hurts." Legolas admitted at last.

"It is time that I looked at it anyway. Some of our special tea will help." Gailarphen gave a small smile. He would continue with their agreement, that he would have the medicine as well. A pact was a pact after all.

"Will it hurt more?" Legolas was worried about that. Fileg peeped once more and used his head to butt Legolas' hand. "I will be well, Fileg. We have to go back into the garden."

"I promised that I will not hurt you. Yes, Legolas, we will all go back into the garden. You enjoyed that did you not, Penneth?" Gailarphen soothed the silken hair away from the still-bruised forehead. The colour was slowly fading now as Legolas recovered.

"I like hearing the trees, and I want to see the rabbit's babies. That will be fun." Legolas beamed at him.

"Good. What do the trees say now?" Thranduil gently hugged his son as he asked the question.

Legolas smiled at him and then looked to the windows. All who were awake curiously stopped to watch.

Legolas seemed content for a moment, but then his eyes widened. "Nasty person outside!" He turned alarmed eyes to his father.

"Nasty person? What do you mean Legolas?" Thranduil shared alarmed looks with Gailarphen.

"Someone is standing outside the window..." Legolas pointed to one of the wide windows that led out into the garden. "… listening to what we say. I do not like him." Legolas shivered.

Glorfindel rose with sword at the ready. He and Elladan went to the window silently, motioning for them to keep talking so as not to alert the intruder to what they were doing.

They went through the open window in time to see a large form bending over to pick one of the flowers that were lovingly cultured and protected by the gardeners who tended this area.

"Stay your hand. Do not do what you intended!" Glorfindel's voice was hard.

Irfan froze, his hand extended to pull at the flower, but stopped just in time. He looked up, eyes wide with fright.

"Why?" His voice actually squeaked.

"Because if you harm that flower it will be the most dangerous thing you have ever done." There was cold promise in Glorfindel's voice as he brandished his gleaming sword.

Irfan snatched his hand back as if it had been scalded. "But… it is only a flower?"

"Only a flower!" Glorfindel practically roared. "It is more than just a simple flower."

"I'm sorry! I didn't know." The human quivered before this angry golden-haired Elf Lord.

"You did not consider it would be best to ask?" Glorfindel's voice was icy enough to have frozen the Balrog that he had once faced.

Irfan had the grace to look embarrassed. "No."

"Then mayhap next time you will think before doing such a thing." Glorfindel's voice dripped with condemnation and disgust. This human made him feel unclean.

"Yes, yes, I will." Irfan inched away from the flowers, the building and the angry elf. It had been the only thing he could quickly think of to explain his presence here.

"So tell me, what exactly are you doing here at this particular time?" Glorfindel had no doubt that his intent was not to pick the flowers in Celebrían's beloved garden.

"I was lost. I could not find my way back to my room. It was so nice to be out in the fresh air." Irfan decided that he would have to play this out as best he could. Well, it had been a pleasure to get out of that foul room! "I just... got lost." He shrugged helplessly.

"So you decided to pick the first flowers that you saw?" Glorfindel watched the human closely. There was something... odious about him. First, Glorfindel did not trust him, and second, he did not like the man. He would never leave him here and he certainly did not trust his weak explanation.

"Well, no, I normally do not like the blasted things. But these... these seemed to call to me." Irfan made his voice puzzled. His years of dissembling in Bree stood him in good stead and he made himself look straight into the blonde elf's eyes.

What he saw there made him shudder and look away. He saw complete distrust and enmity. The elf's blue eyes looked cold and hard as ice chips that flowed in the river in the winter. He had never seen such piercing eyes, and to have them leveled at him… it froze his blood.

That seemed to be what Glorfindel was waiting for. If the man was innocent then he should be able to meet his eyes without guile. Irfan… oh yes, he knew all too well who this bloated creature was. If he had his way, the poor excuse of an Adan would still be locked in his room, living on bread and water. It was amazing that the man did not realise who was in front of him. They had met before.

But then, Glorfindel had to admit, he probably looked a lot better than he had at that point. The fact that his own hair and colour were back to their normal healthy and glossy looks must have fooled the fat Adan.

"They… called you?" If anything Glorfindel's voice had turned even colder.

"Aye, I could hear them calling from over there." Irfan pointed to an area well away from the wide window-doors that served the healing wing. Trying anything to divert suspicion away from him.

"You could hear the flowers calling you?" Glorfindel could not keep the derision from his voice. He had never once in his long life, ever heard of a single human who could hear the song of flowers and trees. Elves? Yes, all of them, Legolas most of all, had the ability to hear the song in some degree, but humans, never.

"Yes, it was compelling and hypnotic and… and then, I was suddenly here in the clearing being threatened by you." Irfan made himself look uncomfortable. It wasn't difficult.

Glorfindel was insulted that the man thought him so gullible. His voice was thick with derision. "Then mayhap it would be wise to stay away from such 'evil' plants and go somewhere more in keeping with your obviously gentle soul!" He could not believe the drivel that he was hearing.

"That may be wise. I… I think, perhaps, I should return to my rooms. A glass of wine may help my shock." Irfan was already looking forward to the fine wine that the elves served, although he would never admit that to their faces. It was still something that stunned him. The food and drink he had been given after his incarceration ended had seemed like nectar and he was not sure that he would ever again be able to drink the harsh ale that he had been so used to drinking.

His palate had obviously changed and he was sure that it was for the better. His mouth was already watering at the thought of the ruby-red drink.

"I see. Then it is such a pity that you will not be returning to your chamber." Glorfindel knew that his voice did not sound in the least bit like he was genuinely sorry.

"I… won't be?" Irfan now had open curiosity in his voice. Why would he not be going back to his room? Where else would he be going?

"No you will not." Glorfindel's voice was firm. He could hear Elladan returning with guards.

"Then where will I be going?" Irfan was genuinely surprised at this turn of events.

"You will go with these guards and you will give them no trouble or you will greatly regret it." There was warning in the elf's words.

"You have no right to give these orders!" Irfan was sure of that. This blond-haired upstart, after all, was not the Lord of Imladris himself, just some glorified soldier who fancied himself a lord.

"And what makes you think that?" Glorfindel was very amused now. He knew for fact that Irfan had no idea who he was.

"Because I have met the Lord of… this place and you are not him." Irfan's voice was triumphant at the thought of besting the stupid elf before him. Really, he was not a child.

"No, but I am his friend, and second-in-command. While Lord Elrond is incapacitated I am in charge of the running of this haven and the safety of its people. We have met before. I think that you came out the loser on that one." Glorfindel was smug as he watched comprehension flood into the dark eyes.

"It is you!" Irfan stepped back in sudden fear as he realised who he had been antagonising.

"Yes, it is I." Glorfindel was highly amused at this. Did the man think him that great a fool? "Who else did you think would realise that you were listening at the doors and only used the flowers as a poor excuse? I am no fool and do not appreciate being treated as one."

Glorfindel waited to see how long it would take for the former healer of Bree to realise what exactly he had just said to him. This was amusing.

"I have nothing to say to you! When I see Lord Elrond I will be making him aware of how you abuse your menial position here." Irfan brought himself up to his full height as he protested.

He was suddenly aware that his head only came up to the elf's chest. This time, his usual intimidating tactics would not work... Irfan gulped as he realised the serious and stupid situation he found himself in. Lady Ruthwen, that endearing Lady, had told him he must not be seen and here he was, not only seen, but caught as well.

"I have done nothing!" There was sudden fear in Irfan's voice as he recalled exactly what the elf had done to him before.

"What is it exactly that you protest you are innocent of, even when I have not asked or mentioned that?" Glorfindel had dealt with three recalcitrant elflings and a very small mischievous human child. This thing in front of him would find that he had chosen the wrong elf to antagonise, let alone try to intimidate.

"I was not listening..." Horrified, Irfan clamped his lips closed. How, and why, had he let slip that much?

"I see. Thank you for confirming my suspicions. I had a feeling you were not here merely to look at the flowers." Glorfindel's voice held grim satisfaction. This had been as easy as stealing sweets from a toddler, not that he would do such a thing. He looked over to the warriors and motioned them to come and take control of the former healer. "Make sure that he is locked away from all others. He is to have plain food and water only. No wine, no matter how much he demands it."

Irfan gasped at that. The food he could manage as long as it was not just plain bread, but… the wine? He really needed the wine, it helped him to sleep.

"No, please, I am sorry. I will not do it again. I promise that I won't" There was honesty in his voice this time and Glorfindel relented.

"Very well, he may have one goblet of red wine before he retires, but no more." The guards nodded. "If I hear that you have given your guards any trouble at all, this privilege will be rescinded." Glorfindel glared.

One goblet? Just one goblet? That was so unfair! Irfan would normally have given a scathing comment at that, but somehow he stayed his tongue. He did not want to risk even losing that.

"I understand." Irfan hung his head low. He would just have to find another way of procuring the wine later on. Perhaps the good Lady would help him. She was so kind and sweet after all.

"Very well, take him from my sight. I will call for him when I have the time to ponder what he has done this day. Be assured, Irfan, that I will consider your actions and they will all be taken into account." Glorfindel was sure that there was more going on than he was aware of.

The guards nodded and took the blustering human away. Irfan did not even look back, scared of what he might see.

Glorfindel however did not move from where he stood nor did he take his eyes off of the large Adan's back as they moved away.

Once he could see them no more, he sighed and turned to re-enter the healing chamber. Elrond would want to be kept informed of this.

It was warmer in the healing chamber than it had been outside, but then they had two fires burning to heat both the chamber and warm the water that they needed. The change was welcome even to him, a full elf. For some reason, being in the man's presence had made him feel chilled.

"Who was it, Glorfindel?" Elladan was waiting, as he had been instructed, just inside the doors, hand upon his sword.

"You will know when I speak with your Ada, come." At Elladan's nod they made their way into the chamber and over to Elrond's bed.

"You caught them?" Elrond looked up from where he was speaking with Gailarphen. The healer was prepared to re-dress Legolas' leg now that the tea had worked.

"Aye, I caught him!" Glorfindel admitted gravely.

"Him?" Elrond pressed. He had to know what was going on.

"Aye, him, Irfan." Glorfindel fairly spat out the name, still irritated by the encounter.

"Irfan, from Bree?" Elrond's eyes were wide. It made him look odd with the new hairs that were growing back in his eyebrows.

"The very one. He was listening outside the windows although he tried, unsuccessfully, to pretend that he was more interested in the flowers than anything else. He failed because he had not realised that I was watching him before I spoke. He thinks we are idiots to be pampered." Glorfindel had seen it clearly in those first few seconds when Irfan had not known that anyone was there. If he had ever heard of the famed stealth of the elves, he had never believed it.

"Why is he here?" Elrond was confused.

"He helped Eirien bring Elladan and me to Imladris, Ada." Elrohir admitted. If it had not been for the man's help, they would not have arrived in the manner they had, they may never have arrived. That was the truth of it.

"Then he has my eternal thanks for that, but why would he be listening at the windows?" That was what puzzled Elrond.

Legolas piped up from where he was listening, snuggled next to Thranduil. "He wanted to hear for her." None of them told him off for listening. Legolas had alerted them to the Adan's presence and he might have a clue to what was happening.

"For whom, Legolas?" Thranduil asked the question they were all thinking.

"Her." Legolas' voice was unnaturally neutral. "She told him to listen. She told him to gather all he could about what we were talking about." Legolas gave a great yawn.

"Do you know who he is talking to about this?" Thranduil's voice was soft.

"Her." Was all Legolas would say.

"Whoever she is, I do not trust him. I have had him taken under guard. I think it is best that we know exactly where he is. I will also arrange for him to have another bath." Glorfindel's nose wrinkled with disgust.

"Make sure that he has plenty of guards." Elrond told him seriously.

"I will." Glorfindel promised and then looked closely at Elrond. "How are you feeling?"

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Irfan let himself be led away from Glorfindel, relieved to know that he had no longer to be in his presence. That elf gave him the creeps in every way possible. Irfan had the uneasy feeling that he would order him to take a bath and change his clothing once more.

Valar, did they not realise that it was dangerous to bathe more than once a month? The danger he could be in was rather frightening.

As soon as they rounded the corner, out of Glorfindel's sight, Irfan tried to pull his arms away from his 'escort'.

"I will go to my room now. You should bring me food and wine." It was worth trying. He thought to himself.

It failed miserably. The two guards tightened their grip until their hold on his arms actually hurt.

"Lord Glorfindel ordered that you were to be taken into custody and so you will be. We will follow Hir Glorfindel's wishes to the letter." The guard's voice was not unkind, but it was firm.

Irfan sighed. It was as he feared. The haughty elf had more control here that he had hoped. How could he have forgotten the elf that had been so rude? He really would be speaking to Elrond about this. This was not the right way to treat guests or fellow Healers.

They moved from the weak spring sunshine into the sudden darkness of a building. Irfan had to blink at the sudden change in light and he had to wait before his eyes adjusted. He was annoyed to see that the elves had no such problem and they were actually paying him no attention at all.

"Come and we will show you your accommodation." The kind guard gently led him down a corridor. Irfan brightened at little at that thought. If he could get this one guard on his side...

The second elf guard scowled at him and then opened the door that they had stopped at. He gestured for Irfan to go inside.

Irfan did so with a long-suffering sigh. He had never heard any tales about elven prisons. In fact he had heard no mention of them at all. Perhaps it would not be that bad.

It turned out that the 'cell' was an old storeroom. The door was stout with an old lock that was substantial, not one that would easily be picked. The only light came from a small window high up in the wall. There were only two pieces of furniture. A wooden bed with a mattress that looked lumpy and a plain wooden chair. Apart from that, the room was bare.

"You don't really expect me to stay in this room?" He seemed aghast at the very thought.

"There is nothing wrong with this chamber. It is basic, yes, but it is warm and dry and you will be safe. Nothing can harm you here." The kindly elf, as Irfan thought of him, sounded sure of that.

"But the bed is so hard, and that mattress!" Irfan could really not believe this.

"It is what we use." The kindly elf actually glared at him. Did the human really think that he would be given equipment that they would not use?

"Even Lord Elrond?" It was a snide remark and the moment that the words left his mouth, he knew that it was the wrong thing to say.

The two elves actually bristled with anger.

"I have known Hir Elrond to give up his own bed and sleep on the floor when the need arose. I will not have you disparage him in this manner! It has been decreed that you are to stay here, so stay here you shall. Go in." The 'kindly elf's' voice was hard and cold.

Irfan shrank back, alarmed. The change in the elf was that startling. Without intending to, he had stepped backwards into the room.

"I'm sorry!" It was almost a wail. Irfan was beginning to fear these elves greatly, they might look weak and mild, but he was realising that it was far from the truth.

"Be glad that you apologised!" It was fairly snarled at him. And then the door slammed shut before him.

Irfan stood frozen for a second before stepping further into the room. He was pleased that they had finally left him alone. Then he took a good look at the rest of the room. There was a small table with a bowl and jug on it and on the floor, tucked away in the corner, was a chamber pot.

It was purely basic. There were certainly no frills in this room, but it was also just enough to be comfortable with.

With a sigh, he moved to the bed and sat on the mattress. It was thin and he was sure that Elrond would not ever use one like this. The bed in his old room had been very comfortable and helped with a good sleep. He was sure that it had been stuffed with duck feathers.

He punched the mattress and had to laugh as he saw straw poke out from underneath the cover. No he was completely sure that Elrond would not be using this type of mattress. Still, beggars could not be choosers.

Irfan settled back against the pillow with a sigh. He could really do with a goblet of that wonderful wine right now.

o-o-o-o-o

"How could he!" There was rage in her voice. "I give him one simple job and he fails me!" A goblet was thrown at the wall.

"He did his best, Ruthwen." Imles told her quietly and her voice was soft. "He is only Edain after all."

Ruthwen turned to her then and some of the fury left her hard face. She tossed her dark hair over her shoulder. "I should have known better than to trust one such as he. I need to speak to him but I am sure that they will not let me speak to him normally. We have to find a way to contact him. I need to make sure that he tells them nothing. It is bad enough that I have to stay here."

As Ruthwen carried on, Imles shut her out. She could work on the guards and use wiles to get the information that they needed. But for now she had to make Ruthwen see that all was not lost, that in fact this could work to their advantage.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Irfan did not know how long he sat there in the semi-dark. All he knew was that he was bored beyond all endurance.

If only he had some wine, he would be happy. As it was, the plain water was most unappealing.

Now and again the guards would look in on him. Where they expected him to go, he did not know. It was as if they expected him to vanish into thin air, as if that was likely!

He sighed. If only he had...

An angry hiss drew his attention to the window. He looked up in surprise but when nothing further happened he sat back down with a sigh, anything as a distraction would help.

It was just his luck that things were not...

"Pssssssssst!"

There was no mistaking the noise this time. It definitely came from the window.

Irfan stood, went to the window and looked up. He kept his voice deliberately low.

"Who is there?" He glanced nervously at the door, worried that the guard may have heard him, despite the fact that he kept his voice low and discreet.

"I am Imles. My Lady Ruthwen sent me to see you." Her voice was heavily accented as she spoke Westron.

"Our Lady sent you?" Suddenly things did not seem quite so dismal.

"She did and she truly is not happy. What use are you, stuck in this hole?" Imles' voice was soft and yet as hard as steel.

"I tried to hide my intentions! I made an excuse. Is it my fault that the blonde Elf knew..." Irfan tried to explain, but he was cut off sharply.

"But that is just it! That is what you did not understand when talking to my Lady. You should never have placed yourself in that situation, never should have had to explain why you were there. My Lady is most displeased." Imles shook her head, her dark hair glistening as her dark braid moved.

Irfan felt his heart drop at her words. All he wanted to do was help his sweet lady, not anger her. That was the last thing that he wanted to do.

"What may I do to appease her?" There was an oddly needy sound to his voice.

"You must keep silent regarding Lady Ruthwen and me. Do not mention us. They must not know that we are connected. That is the only way that Lady Ruthwen can win the King's hand. You have to prove that you were purely innocent. Say that you just wanted news of your home, that no one would tell you and you felt this is the only way that you could hear any news." Imles gazed at him with calculating dark eyes. She watched as her words influenced him. They could still work this out.

"I can do that. They will never know. I promise that they will never know." Irfan's voice was earnest. Despite his desire to have the dark-eyed elf maiden for his, he knew that it was not even a remote possibility and was only the stuff of dreams, a very good dream at that. Still it did not keep him from hoping.

"Good, make certain that you do and I will assure that you get all the food and wine that you crave, but fail, and I will make you regret the day the Valar allowed you to be born!" There was a deep, dark threat in her voice.

"I will not fail. Our Dear Lady need not fear that, I would rather die first!" Irfan spoke so fervently that it made Imles smile.

Oh yes, her friend had this gullible adan wrapped tightly around her little finger! The fool would do anything for Ruthwen. He would even walk into the fires of Mount Doom! This was better than they could have hoped for.

"Good, My Lady will be pleased to hear that. Now I know they have said that you will be on plain food and with only one goblet of wine at night. I will make sure that you have more. I will return with provisions for you as my Lady has decreed." Imles made it sound as if she was doing him a huge favour instead of bribing him to stay quiet about their pact.

"That is so kind of you, Lady Imles. I will never let it be said that you are ungracious. I would stuff their words back down their throat." Irfan gave a sketchy bow.

"That is kind of you. There are some in my Aran's party who will not say a good word of us, why, one even slapped My Lady!" She made her voice sound shocked.

"No! How could they allow them do that to her? If I had been there..." Irfan was shocked at this news, how could anyone justify striking such a beautiful, gentle and kind Lady, a proper lady who deserved to be Queen?

"Thank you once more, Master Irfan. Again she will be calmed by your faith and trust in her. Now I should leave before I am seen, but I will return within the next hour with the provisions. Remember our agreement and all will be well." Once again the honeyed, sweet voice became hard as she reinforced her instructions.

"I will go nowhere and I will say nothing." After Imles left, he stood there dazedly gazing where she had stood for quite some time, lost in dreams of what could be, if only...

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Imles laughed softly to herself as she left the window. Imladris, like Mirkwood, had no real dungeons or cells. At need, they used hastily converted storage chambers to detain any prisoners. It was very amusing that the stupid Adan was blindly walking right into their plans, heedlessly, even eagerly. Ruthwen would be both amused and pleased.

Finding the Adan had been providence, it must have been fated that the three of them met as they did.

And for him to be so incredibly gullible! As if either of them would entertain even touching the filthy creature. No they planned to simply use him to their advantage and then discard him. Almost as one would the husk left over from the sweet nutmeats, simple as that.

She made her way to the talan that had been provided for her and Ruthwen and smiled at her companion.

"It is done. The fool will do all you wish of him. He will say nothing of our pact." She settled in a chair, pouring herself some wine.

"What does he wish in return?" Ruthwen's voice was cool. At least this way she would not have to see the boring, disgusting thing again.

"I overheard the guards discuss Glorfindel's orders for him. He was to be allowed plain food and only one goblet of wine at night, only what he requires and nothing more. I have promised to return with extra food and wine. He is our puppet to do with as we wish for that simple bribe." Imles laughed with amusement at the thought.

"Good, that is what I hoped. Did he tell what he overheard?" This was what Ruthwen was really interested in.

"No, he said nothing and I did not wish to put him on guard by pressing the question. I will find out if he heard anything of interest when I see him next." Imles waved away the concern with a flick of her hand. She could control the human with little effort or thought. This was why she had been 'chosen' to travel with Ruthwen in the party. She appeared so meek, mild and helpless, yet she was as sharp and dangerous as a dagger in the dark.

"Do that." It was a cool order given in a bored tone.

"I will. Tomorrow I will begin work on the scholar as we planned. If we can cause trouble between these Imladris ellyn, we can discover much we want to know." Imles' eyes glinted with glee.

Ruthwen smiled sweetly. It changed her visage from a hard, cold mask to almost being pretty. "This is where the fun really begins."

o-o-o-o-o

Day tediously passed into evening and Irfan found himself wishing for something to do. He was incredibly bored. Despite Imles' promise, she had not yet returned. All he had to drink was plain water, just ordinary boring water, none of the wonderful wine that the elves drank. He loved that wine and it went so well with the meat and cheeses that he also liked.

As he thought of the food his stomach rumbled and he looked at it sorrowfully. He had never had so little food in his life. These last few days had been awful for that.

The sound of a key in the door made him look up hopefully.

A dark-haired elf entered, bearing a tray of food. "I have brought your evening meal. Lord Glorfindel will be along to speak with you once you have finished." The elf placed the tray on the table.

Irfan sighed. They could at least have waited until he had eaten to tell him! Now his appetite was greatly lessened. He then saw what was on the plate and his heart dropped even more.

He knew the haughty yellow-haired elf had said plain food, but really, this was taking it too far! On the plate sat a small piece of steamed fish with some boiled potatoes … at least that is what he thought they were. There was some sort of green vegetable there that he had never seen before in his life. His lip curled in disgust. Did they really expect him to eat this?

He looked up at the serving-elf. "And what, pray tell, is this?" There was disdain in his voice.

"The meal that Hir Glorfindel said you were to have." The dark-haired elf looked at him with interest. "You do not wish to partake of it?"

"No, I do not! I will tell this 'Glorfindel' that when he comes to see me." To Irfan, this elf looked quite young, almost as young as the two sons of Elrond. Irfan had no doubt that he could intimidate this young elf with his age and wealth of experience. After all, what could this boy have seen in the short twenty years, if that many, he had been alive? Really, setting guards this young to see to prisoners. Still, this would work to his advantage.

"I do not recall that Hir Glorfindel ever gave you permission to be so familiar with him. From what he has said, you were to call him Lord Glorfindel." The elf seemed stiff and full of an anger that, at this minute, was directed at him.

"What do you care what I call him? I still will not eat what you have brought me." He stood and tried to tower over the elf, but again failed miserably. "I will have what is served at their table and not this pig swill!"

The door opened and a dark head popped around the door. "Is everything alright, Hir-nin? I heard raised voices." The new elf glared at him, well not really new, as he had been one of the guards who escorted him here.

"Yes, all is well. Irfan was just telling me that he wishes to eat the same meal as Hir Glorfindel and the others." There was wry amusement in the elf's voice.

The guard shook his head, laughing as he closed the door.

Irfan was indignant."I will not tolerate being laughed at!"

"Oh? If you were a bit more diplomatic we would not be laughing at you. As for your food..."

"I demand that it be changed." Irfan had enough of this.

"No." The word was said quietly and calmly but the weight of power and experience was evident for those with wits to notice.

Irfan actually blinked in surprise. "No? What do you mean 'no'?"

"Just that. No. No, I will not change your food. There is no other food for it to be changed to. What you see before you is our normal evening fare and you would do well to clear the plate. Hir Glorfindel and I will eat exactly the same meal you have been provided. We will be grateful for it since we know how hard the cook worked to present it to our table. If I ever again hear that you have pestered the guards with requests of food every hour you will regret it." His grey eyes flashing, the dark-haired elf straightened to his full, considerable height, looking down his straight nose at Irfan. He towered above the dumpy human.

Irfan actually stepped back until his legs bumped against the bed. He did not sit though.

"Why should I do that?" His voice was not so strong now.

"Are you that blind, or that stupid? Look around you and see all that has been happening." The elf looked at him closely and his eyes widened in shock. "You really have no idea!"

"Idea of what?" Irfan sounded sullen.

"That all of Eregion has just suffered through one of the worst winters of rain and snow and is now faced with famine. We must all work together to make it through this difficult time. It is why Glorfindel and I will eat the same meal as you have been given and so will all the others here. We are endeavoring to stretch our supplies until the better weather arrives." The elf actually sounded extremely weary and for a moment he seemed very old, even older than Caric, but then that impression was gone.

"You expect me to believe that Elrond is eating that?" Irfan pointed at the offending food.

"Well no, actually Hir Elrond is not eating this." The elf admitted with a small sad-seeming smile.

"Hah! I knew it!" Irfan almost crowed with delight.

"Hir Elrond will have naught but porridge or light soups at present. If you do not wish to eat this I could supply you with..." He had no need to go further.

"I will eat it, although I do not believe that there is such a famine. We have not had any such problems in Bree. They have given me all I asked for." Irfan smirked. There, that would get him! Sneaky elf, trying to make him feel so guilty.

Irfan then actually jumped at another familiar voice. "That is because you never stopped to listen to what was going on around you. We tried to tell both you and Mayor Cadeyrn." The name was spat with contempt.

This time he really was nervous and he gulped at the sight of the red-haired woman who entered the room. He had not been aware that the door had been left open.

"Eirien, what are you doing here?" Irfan's voice actually trembled.

"I heard that you managed to get yourself into even more trouble. I decided to come and see for myself." Eirien gave him a cold smile.

"Come to gloat more like, you old hag." The old hatred and enmity was still there, despite, or more to the point, because she had saved his life from the orcs. To be indebted to her was not something he relished.

"That is enough. I will not allow you to insult a guest of this house." There was a firm edge of anger to the serious elf's voice now.

"Your guest? She imposed herself upon you. I would bet all the coins that she has that she is getting better food than this slop!" Sudden anger made his tongue loose.

Irfan was so intent on the elf that he failed to realise that Eirien had moved. Her own normally-kind face flushed red with anger. The slap she gave him resounded in the cell, echoing from the wall. Irfan's startled cry followed immediately.

"What was that for?" Irfan rubbed his hand gingerly against the cheek that already reddened where her hand had met flesh.

"To bring you to your senses, you great lump!" Anger rang in her tone.

"Don't you call me a great lump!" Irfan was indignant.

"If you do not wish to have them thrown back at you don't call others names." Eirien glared at him. "Even the street children of Bree are better behaved than you are! As for the food, I had exactly what you have before you. I will eat what is given me and nothing more. I will not pester the cook every two hours for more food that they do not have to spare!"

The two stood glowering at each other before Irfan spoke.

"If they fed me properly then I would not have to ask..."

Eirien looked to the ceiling, clenching her hands at her side, and growled. "Aiiiiiii! I swear one of these days, Irfan, I will take you by the scruff of your filthy neck and beat some sense into you! How long will it take to get it into your thick skull that food is running low? That there is no food to spare? The only reason you are, or should be eating, is because the elves of this Realm have hunted and fished so that we could have fresh meat? I have seen their storehouses, Irfan. Although they will manage, it will be hard to eke out the supplies." Eirien spoke passionately.

"You jest." Irfan's were cold and final.

The dark-haired elf spoke and he looked suddenly weary once more. "No, we do not." Moving away, he called the guard to the door and spoke quietly to him. Seconds later four armed elves entered the room. The elf spoke to Irfan. "You will come and see for yourself."

It was clearly not a suggestion, but an order.

The small group made their way to the kitchen and the small storeroom situated off of it.

Irfan gloated. They could tell him this until they were blue in the face, but he would not believe it. Elves were magical creatures after all and could magic their own food from moonbeams and morning dew couldn't they?

When they arrived, the kitchen had a welcoming air. Elves bustled about clearing up the detritus from the evening meal.

The cook paused to look up from kneading bread dough for the morning meal.

"Hir Erestor, what brings you here? Everything was alright with the food? I know it is meagre and not up to my usual standard but..." The cook, Melanth, was quite distressed at the simple fare he found necessary to place before his Lords. Never had things been this tight before. And then he caught sight of the bothersome human who kept demanding more food from their dwindling supplies. "Oh, it is you."

"Sîdh, Melanth, the food was delicious as usual. When Irfan returns to his cell, he will eat every last bit of it or we will present it to him at every mealtime until he does." Erestor grinned calculatingly at Irfan, who looked shocked.

Melanth was not watching because he had seen Eirien and hurried to greet her. "Híril Eirien, it is delightful to see you once more. You are keeping better? I hope the food was not too bad?"

"Dear Melanth, the food is better than we have had in Bree for some time. We all manage to do what we can with what we have. Your cooking is wonderful. Irfan here will not believe that your stocks are low, so we have come to show him the truth to stop him pestering you for food." She smiled at Melanth, and then glared at Irfan.

The cook nodded grimly and wiped his hands on a clean cloth, gesturing for another to take his place to finish the bread. "In that case come with me."

Melanth led the way through the kitchens and into the storeroom.

"Normally this room is stocked to overflowing, but we have begun to ration a lot of things, mostly the essentials so that they will last for some time. We have no fresh fruits and very little dried left." He showed them a barrel that was almost empty, with only a few pieces of dried fruit left in the bottom. "I am saving this for Hir Elrond when he is feeling better and able to eat more." Melanth turned to Erestor. "How is he? I was greatly relieved to hear that his sight had returned."

Actually, they had set aside a portion of food that they could spare from their storehouses to help others through the famine. Elrond would never fail to give aid. But it suited them for the moment for Irfan to believe that they were really running low.

"Elrond is doing much better and the last I saw he was enjoying his porridge. Legolas enjoyed his as well. From what I hear it is normally a chore to get him to eat it, but he wolfed it down." Erestor had been pleased to hear about that.

"That is good to hear!" Melanth prided himself on his food.

Something caught Erestor's attention, a movement out of the corner of his eye. He whirled around as Irfan reached for a piece of dried apple in the barrel that had been set aside especially for the injured.

"Do not touch that!"

Irfan pulled his hand back, blushing at being caught. They had been so caught up in their conversation, he was sure that they would not notice if he took just one piece of fruit to savor later on.

Eirien whirled and advanced on him, her finger ready and waiting. As soon as she got within striking distance she began. "You never learn do you? You spread lies and death but is that enough?" Poke. "Oh, no!" Poke. "You then spy on our hosts!" Another hard poke.

Irfan's mouth went dry. He stepped backwards, retreating from Eirien's ire. This stirred far too many bad memories of being ousted from Bree.

"And then, even worse, when you are told about the shortage of food, you try to steal it from before our very eyes!" Eirien gave him an even harder poke and he fell over some sacks of flour.

"I... I… I just wanted a taste. I am so hungry. I haven't eaten since this morning." Irfan whined pathetically.

Erestor came to stand beside Eirien. "That is your own fault. I brought you an evening meal. You chose not to eat it. As I said earlier, you will be offered it at each and every mealtime until you eat it. We have little enough to last as it is. To waste it will be a great crime."

"But… it is disgusting!" Irfan's whine was back in full force.

"The rest of us have eaten it and are none the worse for it. You will be offered nothing else." Erestor was determined. Even Melanth had bristled at Irfan's words.

"But I have..." Irfan tried to argue, but Erestor would not let him.

"You still do not understand do you?" Erestor could read the man easily.

"You're just trying to fool me into believing there's no food!" Irfan returned the glare, but then shuddered as Erestor stepped forward. He did not appear as young as he had done previously. His eyes reflected an ancient sorrow and a depthless wisdom.

Eirien towered over Irfan where he had toppled over the sack of flour. "There is a food shortage. You should know that from Bree. Children and the elderly were suffering even before you left. The evidence was there before your eyes but you refused to see it."

"It is time for you to return to the cell and the meal that awaits you there." There was a hard grin on Erestor's face.

"You were joking!" Irfan had a look of horror on his face at the thought of the food that was now surely cold and congealed on the plate. There was no way he would ever eat that foul muck.

"On the contrary, Irfan, I was quite serious." The grin fled from Erestor's face as he glared at the stubborn Adan.

"That is Master Healer Irfan to the likes of you!" Irfan tried intimidation once more.

"The only people I will grace with the title of Master Healer are those that have earned it. You may trust me, Irfan, that you have not earned that respect." Erestor's voice was hard. "Get him back to his cell."

The guard nodded at this order and hurried the man from the chamber.

Erestor waited until they were at the door and then called for them to stop.

"Wait! Irfan you will be awakened at dawn to go gathering herbs and roots in the woods close by with the students from Imladris. You will be under guard at all times." Erestor gave the order.

"You have no right to order such a thing! I am a guest in your town!" Irfan was horrified, up with the dawn? He had not done such a thing in many years. Not since he had decided that even emergencies at that time of the morning could wait for him.

"Actually, Irfan, yes, I can. Since Lord Elrond still recovers from his injuries and as yet is unable to oversee the care of Imladris, it falls to both Hir Glorfindel and me to assume that responsibility in his stead. Hir Glorfindel supervises the halls of healing and all military and safety concerns. I look after the rest. Therefore, if I decree that you will go gathering roots and herbs at dawn under guard, then that is what you will do." Erestor would not be dissuaded.

"B-b-but I... I " Irfan gaped open-mouthed and the guards smirked.

Irfan could not believe this. This elf was someone who could give orders in Imladris? And he had antagonised him? He groaned aloud and closed his eyes. His situation had just gone from bad to disastrous...

"I am sorry." He attempted to redeem the situation any way that he could.

"I am sure that you must be." Erestor's voice was dry. He then turned to the guards. "You may take him now. If he does not eat the food, it is to be removed and then returned to him in the morning to break his fast." He would not be moved from this stance.

Irfan cringed. Sometimes he could be so stupid and his mouth sometimes... well, all the time… ran away from him. He should have learned from the confrontation with Eirien before he left Bree. He would not admit to himself that he had been forcibly ejected from the town. That would be like admitting he was wrong and despite everything, he had tried to help his patients.

This was the one time that he kept his mouth tightly shut. He just wished he had thought earlier.

Irfan did not look back as the door was locked behind him. He moved to sit despondently on the bed, placing his head in his hands. He looked at the plate on the table. It looked even worse now than it had before. He would not demean himself by eating the food. He would rather... His stomach gave a huge grumble at the thought of food. He was just so hungry… and it was food after all.

Beggars could not be choosers and he was not sure he could rely on Ruthwen and Imles to bring him food. He just knew that the appointed time when they had said they would return had passed. Knowing his luck lately they had come when they had taken him to the kitchens. A famine indeed! Did they really think he was that gullible or such an idiot?

With a glance at the door he dug in, devouring the food in seconds, well almost all of the food. He left the green stuff, what did they think he was a rabbit? That was all it was good for.

His hunger not even the remotest bit sated, he set the plate by the door and returned to the bed. If he was going to be awakened at dawn he had better try to get some rest.

He had only been settled perhaps ten minutes on the hard lumpy bed, when he heard the soft. "Hisssssssssst." He knew that voice! She had come!

He rose as quietly as his bulk would let him and crossed to the window.

"Lady Ruthwen?" He called softly.

"Nay, Imles. Our Lady could not come. She had other more pressing things to do." The voice was equally as soft.

"I imagined as much." He was still a little disappointed. He had hoped Lady Ruthwen would come to see him.

"You have seen Glorfindel?" Imles asked him.

"Nay he was meant to come after the meal." He fairly spat the word out. "But he has yet to come."

"Good, and the scholar?" She kept her voice light.

"Scholar?" Irfan had no idea what she was talking about.

"Erestor, the scholar and tutor." There was a hint of impatience in her voice. Really, this adan was an idiot.

"Oh, him." There was utter dislike in Irfan's voice.

Ruthwen grinned above him. "You do not like him?"

"No." It was sharp and short. No, Irfan did not like the elf, not one little bit. He ranked up there beside both Eirien and Glorfindel.

"Good, you will like what we have in store for him then." It would also mean that they ran less risk of him letting things slip and ruining things.

"What do you plan?" Irfan's curiosity was definitely piqued.

"You will see and I think you will approve." There was a smile in her voice. "What did you learn earlier at the healing halls?"

"Not that much actually. They were talking with the child, discussing his pain." Irfan scrunched his face up, deep in thought.

"That is all?" Imles was disappointed. That was all they had garnered from this fiasco?

"They did mention something about him talking to trees!" Irfan scoffed at that idea. They were all touched in the head if they believed such a thing. Perhaps he should look at the child. The others could not be trusted, obviously.

"Yes, we saw it on the way here." Her voice was thoughtful. Perhaps they could use the Prince to get at the King?

"You did!" He gaped at the window, if it had been anyone but her, he would have laughed outright.

"Yes, it was... interesting." She had been very interested in what had happened.

"Then it is real?"

"Yes, Irfan, it is." Imles' voice was a little sharp. "What else did you hear?"

"Nothing. That was when the blond elf caught me." He would not call him by name, he refused to.

"Then this afternoon was a complete waste of time." Imles voice was cold with annoyance.

"Yes, but I may gather more. Tomorrow I have been ordered to help with an herb gathering party. I thought if I stayed silent I could listen to whatever they said and report the gossip back to you. I am sure that there will be some." He was thinking on his feet for once.

"That would be most welcome." Imles had to admit that he had a point. If they thought that he had just been working and not looking as if he was listening. Yes, this could possibly work.

Irfan preened. It had been a quick thought that, but perhaps he could pull this off.

"You must be careful to make them believe that you are not listening. Lady Ruthwen will be most pleased if this works." Imles herself was pleased. "Do this and I will get you a full skin of wine for tomorrow night. I could only get a half skin for this evening and some bread and cheeses that you like."

Irfan looked up at the window, pleased and a little stunned. A half skin for him, with more tomorrow? He would make this happen no matter what.

"Thank you, Lady Imles. I will make certain that I have news for you tomorrow. I have to make up for today. Please tell our Lady that I am sorry and that I will make it up to her." Irfan put all the sincerity that he felt into his words.

"I am sure that you will. I must leave. I cannot take the risk that I am seen. Take the food." She lowered it down to him on a thin rope that looked as if a good wind would blow it away. How could it have the strength to even hold the woolen bag?

Irfan hurried to grab it out of the air. The last thing he wanted was for it to fall on the floor. He also waited rather impatiently as she lowered the wine skin, that was more precious than the food and the food was important!

"I will return tomorrow night." With that, Imles departed, happy with her night's work.

"Good night, My Lady." Irfan looked up, only to find her gone. But he was happy. He had what he needed for the night.

He set the food behind the door out of view to make the most of the fact the guards would not see it when the door opened. He took out some bread and a small hunk of cheese and quickly demolished it without even thinking about it, he was that hungry. Then he used the battered goblet to take a drink of wine. Ah, that was much better.

Once he had finished, he stowed the food and wine under the bed and sat down. The last thing he wanted to do was raise suspicion.

He was just about to rise and have another glass of wine before he retired for the night when the door opened. He looked up belligerently, about to berate the guards about privacy, but he managed to clamp his mouth shut just in time.

Glorfindel stepped into the room and waited until the door closed. "I thought I would bring your evening glass of wine to you. I also wanted to talk to you about your behaviour since you have been here in Imladris."

Glorfindel's voice was hard as he looked at the man. Irfan paled as he spoke. Could he know about the food and wine?

"What do you mean?" He tried to make his voice hard.

"I mean about the way you have treated people since you arrived. Badgering the cook will not be tolerated. There is no food to spare and you will eat what you are given or starve. Erestor informs me that you will go out with the herb-gatherers. You will be under guard at all times and they report directly to me." Glorfindel was not in a mood to tolerate any more games from this man.

"I do not think that a man in my position should be made to do such a menial task." Irfan puffed himself up with importance.

"That is such a shame. Even Lord Elrond joins the herb gathering parties at times. He is not ashamed to be seen doing something so 'menial'." Glorfindel told him in no uncertain terms.

"He does? Why would he want to do that?" To Irfan this was an incredible thing to do. Who knows who, or what, you would meet in the woods?

"Because Lord Elrond likes to see the herbs, where they grow naturally, to make certain that they are really the ones that he wishes to use. It is a pity that other healers do not follow his example." Glorfindel looked down his nose at Irfan.

What could Irfan say to that without seeming incompetent and foolish?

Glorfindel moved to the centre of the chamber and placed the goblet of wine on the table. Irfan could only thank providence that he had hidden the wine and food under the bed. Glorfindel would have been able to see it from where he was standing had he left it behind the door.

"We need to speak about your eavesdropping this afternoon." Glorfindel crossed his arms and waited. "Do not pretend that you did not do that. I am not a fool. You can admit to that or you can admit to trying to pluck flowers that Lord Elrond's wife planted centuries ago that he has carefully tended since she sailed. The choice is yours."

Irfan gulped nervously. How could he have known about the flowers? He was a visitor to this damned place and in many ways he wished that he had never come here. But, then, he would not have met his Lady.

"I was trying to find out when Eirien intended to travel back to Bree and see if I would be welcome again." He kept his voice humbled and embarrassed.

"So you eavesdropped on all of us?" Glorfindel did not believe one word of it.

"Well, no, just Eirien." There, he had thought before he opened his mouth. For once he had managed to stop himself.

"I see." Actually Glorfindel saw and understood a lot more of what was going on than Irfan realised. "Here is your wine. Enjoy it. You will be wakened before dawn so that you are ready for the gathering party. You will remain here until I decree otherwise." That would be some time in coming.

"As you wish." Irfan was disappointed. He had thought that he could talk his way into being moved back to his room and that wonderfully comfortable bed.

"I do so wish." It was curt and Irfan nodded. Glorfindel stood and stopped as he was half-way to the door. "If you behave, you will earn your privileges back by not arguing with those around you and doing as asked without complaint. If you carry that out, we will increase your food rations and wine… slightly"

Irfan's eyes lit up at what he heard and he nodded eagerly.

With a curt nod Glorfindel left the chamber.

Irfan practically pounced on the goblet but faltered as he heard Glorfindel tell the guard.

"He is to bathe tomorrow upon his return. I want his clothes changed. He is to have a bath every day while he is here."

How dare he! He would not have another bath! And certainly not one a day, that was scandalous! That would kill him!

He would have to find a way out of it. He would not bathe and it was that simple. But that was for tomorrow. Tonight he had wine and cheese...

When the guard came around an hour later, Irfan was sprawled flat on his back, his mouth wide open and making the most incredible noises. The guard shook his head in wonder and moved away. The man made his flesh creep with the sweaty smell that seemed to cling to him.

o-o-o-o-o-o

The guard kept watch closely over the course of the night, rather alarmed at the sounds the Adan made, and he had never heard such noises coming from someone before. At one point, he thought that Irfan might be choking to death, but every time Irfan had taken another breath and he was very relieved.

Now it was literally just before dawn and the other guards that Glorfindel had set would be arriving to take him out to gather the herbs the House of Healing needed.

As he unlocked and opened the door, he heard Irfan give a great grunt and fall silent. Nothing more happened. NO! This could not be happening to him, not when his shift was almost over.

He rushed into the room. In the grey, cold morning light the Adan looked a little blue and was not breathing at all. He rushed to Irfan's side. If he could not get him breathing, he would have to call for help.

He had just reached out for the human to shake him when Irfan gave another huge grunt and took a deep breath, this was followed by another, and then another.

Tinain, a young guard, almost sagged with relief. That relief made him a little brusque as he shook the man awake. "Wake up!"

Irfan grunted once more and then slowly opened his eyes. "Wha…?"

"It is time for you to rise and get ready. Your guards will here shortly and they will not wish to be kept waiting."

"G'way. Tell 'em to come back later. Not 'mergency!" Irfan closed his eyes again.

The young guard sighed, wondering why this had fallen to him. "You will wake now!" His voice was hard as Tinain shook Irfan.

Irfan grunted and woke properly. "What is that for?" He looked around him. "It is too early, kid, go away." He was going to go back to sleep, no matter what this child said.

"That is where you are wrong. You will get ready and you will do it now." Tinain was becoming irritated with the man.

"How will you make me? Such a young one as you?." Irfan's voice was smug as he promptly closed his eyes and pulled his covers up to his chin. He had such an awful headache. Now if he were only left alone...

Tinian stood and looked at him. Kid? What was this 'kid'? He looked around and his eyes rested on the jug of drinking water. A wicked grin flooded his face as he crossed to the table and lifted the jug. With a calculating grin he crossed back to the bed and promptly emptied the jug over the human's head.

Irfan came up spluttering.

"What was that for?" Irfan could not believe it. How could the fool kid do that to him? To him!

"You would not waken and it is time for you to get ready." Tinian told him simply.

"I told you I was not getting up, kid, and I meant it!" In spite of that, he was already out of the bed, standing beside it, trying to dry off but failing miserably.

"I am not a 'kid'." Tinian still had no idea what a 'kid' was exactly.

"Yes, like I believe you! You are what, fifteen, sixteen?" Irfan glared at him.

"Nine hundred, actually." Tinain told him.

Irfan laughed at that. These elves and their jokes about their age!

"Right… and I am Eirien's favourite person!" This boy could not be older than he was.

"My nine hundredth begetting day was seven months ago." Tinain glared at him. How dare Irfan insult him!

"Have your joke. I don't care." Irfan chortled at him.

"You will be ready when they come. You have ten minutes." Tinain's voice was low and angry.

"I'm not going!" Irfan glared at the elven guard. Really, was he stupid?

"It has been decreed that you will go herb-gathering this morning and you will leave at dawn. Must I have Hir Glorfindel brought to see you?" There was an unusual firmness in Tinian's voice.

Irfan gulped at that. No, the last thing he wanted was the 'golden demon', as he now thought of Glorfindel, woken and brought to him.

"If you ever come to see me as a patient, you will regret this!" He hissed at the elf. The only clothes he now had were sodden, thanks to this brat. He would have to go out looking like a drowned rat. To say he was unhappy was beyond the truth.

"Then I pray that never happens. I would rather be treated by an orc than you!" Tinian hissed back. Valar, but this man irritated him beyond all reason!

Irfan sniggered at that and brushed his wet hair back from his face. "My morning meal?" He asked snidely.

"It will be served when you return." It was said in such an off-hand manner that Irfan could only gape at him.

"What?" He could not believe this. They expected him to work without eating first? And he could not even get to his hidden cache for some bread and cheese either.

"The morning meal is always served at the same time each morning, two hours after dawn, and not before. You will receive it when you return." It gave him a lot of satisfaction to tell Irfan this.

"No. I will not stand for this!" Irfan was fuming.

"You have little say in the matter." Tinian's voice was smug.

"I will eat or I will not be going!" Irfan sat back down on the soaked bed and crossed his arms.

"Very well, as you wish it." Tinian told him.

Ha, and they thought they could bully him.

Tinian crossed to the door and opened it looking out he called. "Brethlin, Irfan has declared he will not move from his chamber until he has eaten."

"Is that so?" The voice was light and yet held a wealth of experience that even Irfan could hear.

"Yes." Tinian answered.

"Then I will summon Hir Glorfindel." There was no give in the voice. "As he instructed."

Irfan groaned, so he had anticipated that Irfan would give them trouble. He only really had once choice. Perhaps he could scavenge some food along the way. Yes there were always nuts, berries and mushrooms growing in the land. Not ideal, but better than an empty stomach and it seemed that was how these elves wished to keep him. It was plain torture! Elrond would certainly be hearing about this when he got to meet him.

"I will go. There is no need to wake Glorfindel." His voice was resigned.

He did not see the grins that crossed the two fair faces. They had no intention of ever waking Glorfindel, for he was already awake, having begun his day before dawn. He would not make others do what he was not prepared to do. Elrond was of the same mind.

The older guard winked at the younger one before withdrawing to watch from the shadows. Tinian was new to guard duty and Brethlin had been set by Glorfindel to look after him. From what he had seen the ellon was doing well. He would have no trouble welcoming him to the team. If he could handle Irfan and his petty tries at intimidation he would go far.

Tinian had met others like Irfan in the past who felt the world around them owed them a special place. It had been left too long without being dealt with in Bree. He would not let it continue here. No, just two seconds of being in Irfan's company had told him exactly what Irfan was and he would not stand for his games.

"I am ready!" Irfan did not sound happy to be awake at all.

"Then come with me. We will join the rest of your party!" There was no give in Tinain's voice.

Once they had handed Irfan over it would be time for them to go to their rest. Their shift had finished for another night.

Irfan was led from the chamber and he glared at Brethlin, whom he found lounging against the wall, a look of amusement on his face.

"Good, you decided to use your brain... for once." Brethlin stood.

Irfan glared even more coldly.

"Come, the rest of your party is awaits you." With Tinian on the other side of Irfan they made for the Last Homely House.

Irfan was a little surprised and very upset. He had been hoping to slip away from his guard, but having one on either side rather ruined that chance, perhaps later then, when the other guards relaxed.

It was still dark and the bright lights that eased the darkness made the area look soft and warm. He admitted the elves knew how to make a place look comforting.

And then he saw the group he would be working with.

He stopped, feeling anger grow again. He would not tolerate this!

"I will not work with children! I will not be so humiliated!" He had never been so insulted in his life!

"These 'children' as you put it are used to this work and know exactly what to look for and the dangers that live in the forest around us." The guard glared back.

"But… children!" Was all Irfan could cry.

That pulled the elder guard to a stop and he rounded on Irfan.

"Those 'children' have more common sense and practicality than you ever will. It also happens that most are a lot older than you are!" Brethlin told him vehemently.

"Not that again!" Irfan was getting tired of this old chestnut. "When will you get over the fact that you're all younger than I am?"

"And just how old are you, Irfan?" Brethlin kept his voice calm.

"That's Master Healer Irfan to you." Irfan tried to draw himself up with dignity, but it came over as exceedingly arrogant and very stupid.

"There are only a handful of people I will ever grace that title with, Irfan and it is most certainly not you." Brethlin's voice was curt. "Tell me your age." It was not a request.

"I am about sixty-nine." Irfan was proud of that. Of all the people he had grown up with, he was the only one of his age alive... he thought.

"Sixty-nine?" There was mocking in Brethlin's voice.

"Yes." Irfan's hackles rose at the way he said that.

"So, let me see. You can recall the summer where it was so hot and the Mayor of Bree sent for aid against the bugs?"

Irfan had to think long and hard. He had seen many summers after all. "Yes I was eleven and already apprenticed to our healer." Even now he was very proud at being singled out like that. But how could the elf know about that summer? He looked no older than thirty, at the most.

"Do you recall the elves that came to your aide?" Brethlin asked him.

Irfan looked at him, unsure of where this was heading.

"Well, do you?" Brethlin prompted him.

Irfan looked irritated and then thought back with a sigh.

He could recall hearing a commotion, which was pretty unusual, the weather was so hot that no one was rushing around. Instead they were staying inside, under shade, trying to keep cool. So the fact that there was noise and excitement meant something unusual was happening, and if his Master was needed, he wanted to be the first to bring the news.

The first thing he saw was the large horses, standing majestic in the town square. He had never seen horses like this before.

And then he saw them, elves, at least he thought they were elves. Caric often spoke about the creatures as if he had met them, but the older boy could not have done. It was all lies he was sure. But on seeing the elves, Irfan had to admit that Caric's descriptions were uncannily accurate.

"Yes, I recall the elves." Irfan admitted.

"Good." Brethlin could recall that day clearly, as if it were yesterday actually. He could remember that young boy that came racing out to see what was happening. He had pulled up with awe on his face, only to meet his eyes with wide-eyed shock.

"What of it?" Irfan asked irritated.

"What would you say if I was to tell you that I was among those elves?" Brethlin watched him and, yes, Irfan reacted the way he had expected him to.

"You? You must think me one of the biggest fools around!" Irfan sniffed at him.

"No, I did not say that. But I will tell you what I saw when I arrived in the square at Bree, along with the others in my party." Brethlin watched the human closely in the pre-dawn gloom.

"What was that?" Irfan would enjoy this, the elf was just about to humiliate himself, he was certain.

"I saw a young, light redhead rush towards us. He was about this high." He gestured to about his waist height. For the first time Irfan looked a little uncomfortable. "And he had one of the dirtiest faces I think I had ever seen." He smiled at the memory and looked at the human. It seemed that some things never changed.

"Oh?" Irfan fidgeted. He had not even bothered to wash his face this morning. He thought that the water that had been poured over him had been sufficient for the day. It was more than it normally had!

"Yes, but the thing that has always stuck in my memory was the disdain that crossed his face and the food that had stained his tunic." Brethlin took the time to make a point of looking down. "You do not seem to have changed one bit, Irfan. How is Master Solthe?"

Irfan winced at the mention of his old Master. The man had always been on his back about the state of his hands and tunic, how filthy they were and that he needed to wash them far more frequently than he did. He had come to hate the old man by the end of his training.

"Master Solthe died some years back and I took his place." Irfan told him, still not sure that he believed the elf was there. He could vaguely recall that day, after all.

"I am sorry to hear that." Brethlin told him.

Irfan blinked, he was not sure exactly what the elf was sorry for, the fact the old healer had died or that he had taken over.

"But I will say that Master Solthe's greeting was rather unusual." Brethlin told him.

"It was?" Irfan would say no more, he wanted to know if the elf had really been there.

"Aye, the summer was so hot and the water situation so dire that you had run out of almost every single herb in the Infirmary. Master Solthe hugged us when he realised that Hir Elrond had sent all the herbs that he could." Brethlin saw sudden understanding light the man's eyes.

"You were there! But… how is this possible? You look so young!" Irfan's eyes almost bugged out of his face.

"We have told you repeatedly that we are older than we look, why are you surprised when you realise that we are telling the truth!" The voice came from behind then and Irfan turned to see both Glorfindel and Erestor standing behind them. "You are right, Brethlin, we did see Irfan that day."

"Yes, Hir Glorfindel, I did not think you would forget that day either." Brethlin nodded.

"No, I could never forget the sight of that dirty face and the clothes covered in food." Glorfindel looked back at them. "When he returns from the herb gathering, he is to be made to bathe. There will be fresh clothes for him to change into."

"We will make certain that he does." Brethlin told him.

"He will also wash his clothes after he has changed." Glorfindel looked at Irfan for the first time that morning." And while you are here, you will bathe and change daily and empty the chamber pot that you use at night. I will not have my men run after you. You will eat everything brought to you without a fuss and you will also wash the plate and goblet after use. Are you clear about that?"

"Bathe daily? But that will kill me!" Irfan sounded horrified.

"No it will not, you… pathetic man!" Glorfindel could not stop the bite in his voice "A bath will not kill you, but dirt will!" Glorfindel grimaced with distaste at Irfan's filthy fingernails. The last thing he would want is for this man to treat him.

"Dirt kill you? You are clearly no healer!" Irfan sniffed and was suddenly aware that every one of the elves had stiffened at his words. "What?" He demanded.

Erestor answered for the others. "Hir Glorfindel knows more about healing than you ever could Irfan. He has helped Hir Elrond more times than I could convey to you. Yes, even I know that dirt can kill you."

Glorfindel's voice was cold with irritation. He had more than enough of this human. "I think it is time that you began your morning's work. The others have waited long enough for you."

Irfan blinked as he realised it was no longer dark but that dawn was breaking.

He was led over to the group of elflings, who eyed him curiously. Irfan feared there would be little that he would garner from these children. Well, they looked like children anyway. Lady Ruthwen would be most unhappy again. Then his eyes brightened as he caught sight of the adult elves that stood to one side waiting for him. Perhaps all was not lost.

He did not think that an hour later, as he walked at the back of the group, gasping for breath. He was actually struggling to keep up with the elflings in front of him. He had tried to appeal to his guards to stop for a short while. They had agreed to slow down, but they had not stopped.

The sun had gently risen. To his horror, the elflings had begun to sing softly. How could they be this happy so early, and without a morning meal?

A trickle of sweat made its way down his back and he shrugged uncomfortably, shooting daggered looks at the elf to his right.

"I... need... to stop!" He panted.

"We are almost there. You can rest as you gather the herbs." The guard did not look at him.

Irfan glowered even more. How could they still look so fresh and clean? They did not even have a hair out of place!

A sudden sting and he slapped his own cheek, wincing as the pain stung a little differently. Now he was about to be eaten alive by insects! This was so unfair!

"How... long?" He swallowed with difficulty. He really needed a drink.

"A little while, it will not be long." Was the only answer given.

He passed another very uncomfortable half-hour with plenty of insect bites. Irfan thought he had descended into the depths of Mordor. He did not look around him, he did not talk, not even to complain. He did not have the breath, as simple as that. He also had a deep burning in his chest and he knew he was using muscles he had long ago though dead and gone.

"We are here!" He looked up to see the elflings stop and quietly talk together. All he could do was stand and pant. "We will take five minutes to rest and have some water and lembas before we begin."

Irfan groaned and sank to the ground. Five minutes, that was all that they were allowing? Dreadful… he would need at least the day... and what was this lembas?

"Here is some water and some of our waybread for you to eat." One of his guards stood before him. "I would only take a few bites as it is very filling." He warned.

Irfan all but snatched the leaf-wrapped food from the elf. All he had heard was the word bread and nothing more. He was so hungry!

He was unaware of the amused elves watching him as he tore the leaf off and looked at the 'bread'. His look spoke of shock and a little anger. Then he shrugged and crammed a corner into his mouth. Not caring that he got crumbs down his tunic and on the ground.

He closed his eyes in near ecstasy and sighed. This was not bread as he thought of it and he only ate it out of desperation but his stomach was not quite so empty. Then he drank his fill before sitting back with a sigh. He realised that he was being watched by some rather surprised elflings. He ignored them and closed his eyes against the glare of the sun.

It seemed that no sooner had he closed them than he was being shaken brusquely awake.

"We need to collect the herbs if we wish to be back in time for the elfling's novice weapons training this afternoon." It was the male elf that had given him the bread and he did not seem quite as friendly as Irfan had expected him to be. He had been considerate earlier. What could have changed his attitude?

Irfan sat up with a sigh and realised that there were quite a few crumbs that had settled on his stomach. Well he could not let that go to waste, could he? Food was food after all.

He brushed the bread carefully into his waiting hand, he then raised it to his mouth, totally oblivious to the looks of disgust that crossed the elves' faces that were present, both adult and elfling.

Then with a sigh he rose and hurried to the group of elflings. He really needed more rest, a lot more than he had taken.

"Look to me!" It was an order from the male elf that he realised was the one in charge of this group.

All of the elflings stood straight, almost at attention it seemed. All of their attention was on the elf and it did not waver.

"Good. We are looking for any useful herbs ready to gather, no matter what they are. Hir Erestor gave us a list of the ones that he deems are the most necessary. I ask that you look for those closely. Do not stray out of sight of the next person in the group. If you notice anything that you think should not be there let us know. Do not go off by yourself. That is the most important thing and do not eat anything without checking with me first. Do you understand?" He looked at each of the elflings.

They all nodded solemnly at him. They had been through this countless times. It was how they started each of these sessions, with this subtle reminder, but they all knew the importance of the reminder.

He turned to Irfan. "Do you understand my rules?"

"Yes. Yes! I have been herb gathering before you know! I am not entirely useless." Irfan all but growled at him. They just assumed that because they were older and yet looked younger that they were far superior to him!

Irfan stopped with amazement then as he realised that he had accepted that even the children were way beyond his years, strange.

"Very well, if that is what you think." The guards would keep a close eye on him anyway. They would not let him out of hearing range or sight.

"I do." Irfan put confidence that he really was not feeling into his voice.

"As you wish." He nodded at the man, bemused. Brethlin had informed him of what hard work it could be, dealing with Irfan. "Spread out and begin the search."

The small group did so. The guards watched, secure in the knowledge that if they needed help it was but a whistle away. There were also horses nearby in case of emergency. One never knew. The herblore instructor, Creaslow, knew that things could go from calm to utter chaos in little more than a second.

Irfan was placed between two of the largest elflings. They seemed confident of what they were doing and he watched them under the guise of undoing the herb bag he had been given to place the newly-picked herbs in. When he was sure of what he was meant to be doing and not willing to look a fool by asking, he set to work.

The heat of working under even the weak spring sun was making him perspire greatly and he wanted nothing more than to sit in the shade and rest. But he was acutely aware that he was being closely watched.

Then his stomach once more began to rumble as he realised that he was starving but he had nothing more to eat! He was beginning to wish he had not eaten all of the bread that he had been give earlier.

He reached for some of the roots, clearing the foliage away and stopped. It could not be! He blinked his eyes and looked again. It was! There under the tree and surrounded by roots and bushes was a small cluster of mushrooms! He looked to be certain no one else had noticed. If he behaved as if he was just picking the herbs he could put the mushrooms in the bag and no one would be the wiser. He would still be within range of their sight and so they would not be suspicious.

He moved with what he thought was deceptive ease and did not realise that the amused elves were watching his every move, but when he reached out and picked up the roots that had been requested they relaxed.

Irfan smiled, he had placed the roots in the bag and then reached for the mushrooms, but they were just out of reach. He moved closer. His leggings caught on a broken branch, but all he was interested in was the mushrooms and he jerked away from the snag, ignoring the rip and jagged tear that followed his movement.

He stopped warily and then reached for the roots that were close to the mushrooms, lifted them and made a show of looking at them so that the elves could see what he was doing. Once again he placed them in the sack and picked more until he was sure he was safe and then he reached for the clump of mushrooms and with his back to everyone, he picked as many of them as he could stuffing them directly in the sack. He would have enough to last him on the way back... or before he left the forest.

As he came back out of the foliage, he did not notice that his leg with the torn legging brushed up against the bushes as he came past them.

The minute the elves' attention was elsewhere, he stuffed the first of the mushrooms into his mouth and almost groaned in ecstasy. This was far more like it. He closed his eyes. How they expected him to work with no food was beyond him and such little sleep! And that was not to mention the headache that even now grew worse in the glare of the sun. He picked a few of the roots and herbs and placed them in the bag before removing another mushroom and with his head bowed ate it. He actually crammed it into his mouth, not caring that it was unwashed.

He kept this up until that awful voice called. "Alright, we have enough. Gather around."

The elflings automatically did so, obviously used to being ordered like this. Well, he was not. He took his time as he made his way towards them, absently rubbing at his leg where it had begun to itch.

"Let me see your bags." Creaslow passed from elfling to elfling and nodded, pleased with their work and some of the intelligent questions he was asked about the flora and fauna. He did this every time they gathered. It helped them learn about the forest and its plants.

The plants that had been requested specially, he gathered. When they had their next lesson they would learn about them more fully. Another way he liked to teach, by following up the information.

When he came to Irfan, the man just glared at him.

"May I see what you have gathered?" The question was polite enough.

Irfan glared at him more and then opened the bag, pleased that he had finished the mushrooms.

Creaslow said nothing, the man had gathered only a quarter of the amount his students had, but he had been expecting that.

Irfan watched him and had to bite back a wince. His stomach was beginning to ache with hunger again and his leg was feeling as if it was on fire.

"You gathered a little." Creaslow grudgingly noted.

Irfan said nothing, he dare not. He was suddenly hot. Sweat seemed to be pouring from him, but that was not the worst of it.

He reached down to scratch at his leg, this was getting worse. He also swallowed sharply. He was suddenly feeling very sick. He glanced away not wanting to let them know that he was not feeling well.

"Irfan?" The voice was sharp, but he did not respond since he did not dare open his mouth, he was afraid of what would happen if he did.

"Irfan?" Creaslow's voice was more insistent this time. Something was not right. There was an odd smell in the air that he had not noted before and he was sure that it was the human, but what could be wrong?

Irfan could not stop the groan as his stomach gave an almighty pulse of pain and he had no choice. He was going to be sick.

He tried to move, he really did but he could not seem to. He put one foot in front of the other and vomited all over Creaslow's feet.

The Herblore Master jumped back, startled, and would have said something but then he noticed the grey cast to Irfan's features that had not been there before. "Are you injured?" He looked the man over quickly but was confused. There was no sign of injury at all.

Irfan could not answer. He groaned and clutched at his stomach as he doubled over.

That did it for Creaslow. The human was hurting, that was obvious. "Get the horses!"

Irfan did not even hear him. He dropped the sack he had held open and concentrated on the pain. He did not see the contents spill.

Creaslow would have ignored the sack, but something rolled out that should not have been there. He bent to pick it up and alarm filled him.

"Did you eat that!" Creaslow pointed to the mushroom that sat in his left hand. There was a strange urgency in his voice. At least Irfan found it strange.

"I was hungry!" Valar was that his voice? It sounded so weak and odd.

"It is poisonous!" Creaslow could not believe this. The man was said to be a healer and should know these things!

"Poisonous!" Wide, suddenly terrified eyes turned to meet the elf's

"Aye, poisonous." Creaslow's initial anger had flown replaced by the need to move. ""Desoul, we need those horses now!"

Irfan blinked not sure whether the elf was kidding him... until another sharp pain in his stomach had him folded over.

"Easy, Irfan, we will get you back to Master Healer Gailarphen. He will help you." Creaslow's voice was kind. "Come, if you can walk we can go to the horses, it will save time. Finraen, make sure that you get the elflings home safely. I will see you there. Easy, Irfan, I know it hurts." He encouraged the human.

Irfan let himself be pulled towards the trees once more, but the pain in his abdomen meant that he really did not care where they were going. The pain seemed to be all he could concentrate on, the burning in his stomach and the leg that was on fire so much that he was sure he could see it burning.

"The horses are here, Irfan. We will get you back to Imladris within the hour and you will have aid." Creaslow realised that the man was not really listening. The pain was obviously too great for him.

It took almost five minutes to persuade Irfan to mount the horse. He was now hot and confused. The poison was working as it normally did. With urgency Creaslow prodded the horse into motion.

"How many of the mushrooms did you eat?" He needed to know to give Gailarphen a cohesive report.

His only answer was another groan.

"I need to know, Irfan, two, or three?" Valar help the man if it were more...

"Eight… they tasted so good and I was so hun..." Irfan got no further but just leaned over the side and vomited once more.

Creaslow said nothing. He knew this was the best thing that the human could do. It would get a lot of the poison out of his stomach. It is what the healers would do for him, had he been in Imladris.

For Irfan, this was the longest most miserable trip he had ever taken and he thought that the trip out here had been bad enough. He was only aware of the agony that seemed to fill him and the nausea that rolled in his stomach.

Creaslow had never been so glad to see home in his life. The fat human had stopped moving and was just moaning piteously as he struggled to keep the man's unresponsive bulk on the horse.

He would be glad to see the Healers...

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The bright morning sun shone through the windows of Imladris' healing ward and in particular the inner ward where the most serious patients were treated.

All was quiet and the healers and their students or aides quietly passed around the chamber seeing to their patients. At this time of the morning they were mostly all sleeping. Now that most of the badly wounded were stable, Gailarphen had taken the chance to get some sleep. There were now only three that continued to worry him; Nestoron, Legolas and Thranduil. Elrond was getting better by the hour and after his quick visit to the river last night with his sons he had looked even better in spite of the vision. Gailarphen would never presume to ask what had happened, not with something so personal.

When they had returned, Legolas had given them a happy smile that spoke volumes before settling back to hear Glorfindel tell his tale once more.

Legolas had experienced a nightmare over the course of the night, the Monsters returning once more to haunt him. Luckily, Glorfindel had been nearby to help him and it had not disturbed Thranduil. Although that may have been more to do with the sleep-inducing herbs that Glorfindel had slipped to him on Gailarphen's orders.

Daylight would bring brighter cheer for them all, hopefully.

Gailarphen made his way back into the healing wing just after dawn broke He felt better for the full night's natural sleep he had managed for the first time since he had left Imladris in search of Thranduil's party.

He had expected to be woken in the night for one or another of his patients and he was pleasantly surprised that he had not.

Linnathon looked up from where he was taking Nestoron's pulse. "Aur maer, Gailarphen." There was a tired smile on his face.

"Good morning, Linnathon. How did the night go?" The first thing he did was look over at Legolas. After all, he had been most seriously injured.

Legolas was snuggled against Thranduil. His loose hair had fallen over his face and, although his eyes were closed, he looked peaceful and had far more colour than he had shown recently. His mouth was open in a little O as he slept.

Settled in the Prince's arms and happily watching the world around him was Fileg.

"Legolas looks much better." Gailarphen was pleased at that.

Linnathon nodded tiredly. "Indeed, I am pleased, especially after the bad night that he had."

"What happened?" Gailarphen was instantly alert.

"A very bad nightmare, about the orcs, I think. He cried out about the Monsters and they are the only thing that I can equate it to mean."

Gailarphen sighed, he had hoped that Legolas would not have any further nightmares, but that had obviously been too much to ask for. He only wished that Legolas could get a break from his grief.

"How bad?" He looked over at Thranduil, worried about how it had affected the King.

"I sedated him. Thranduil slept through it without knowing." Linnathon admitted.

"Good, this would not have done much to help his heart had he woken to that. How long has Legolas been asleep?" He crossed to the elfling to make sure that he really was as well as he seemed to be.

"It happened just before dawn. I would think that he will waken about the time we take the midday meal." Linnathon looked up at the sky to measure Anor's position.

"Good. Legolas cannot risk missing any more meals. He is far too thin already." He gently took his pulse, careful of the splint that adorned the small wrist. "I need to change his dressings. I will do that after the morning meal, it would be better to do that while he is still asleep."

"I agree. They will still be very painful. I will stay and help and then go off duty." Linnathon offered.

"You need your rest as well, Linnathon." Gailarphen told him, quite serious. "Do not think that I am unaware of how many turns of Anor you are putting in, working to help me at present. It is not that I am ungrateful, just worried. You need to have your rest, you cannot continue on like this. You will collapse. Yes, you can smile wryly at that!"

Linnathon had smiled, albeit a small one. This was the very conversation he had used against his friend and Master Healer the night before to make Gailarphen sleep. He should have expected to have it turned on him.

"You are right, Gailarphen, and I would love to rest but you need help. We are so short on Master Healers. Hir Elrond is recovering quickly now, but it will still take some time. Glorfindel is now caught up with running Imladris and Nestoron..." He looked over at the other healer where he was still in the bed. He hated seeing his normally-bright, happy friend brought down like this.

"He will recover. I am sure about it. How has he been overnight?" They moved to where Nestoron slept. Gailarphen was pleased to see that Faelien was sleeping properly in the bed next to him for the first time since he had fallen from one of the Great Eagles that still kept watch over them.

"He woke once in a lot of pain. We tried the less-heavy pain herbs, but in the end, had to give him some poppy tea. He was in that much pain. Faelien is still so sensitive with her pregnancy that I did not want to take any chances that it would affect her." Linnathon frowned at that. He was worried at the extent of pain Nestoron was experiencing.

"Yes, the stress with not help her or the laes at this time. I expect Nestoron to have some pain for a long time to come and a lot more when the feeling truly comes back into his limbs. That will not be an easy time for Nestoron, but he will have our support." Gailarphen looked from Nestoron to Faelien with affection written on his face. They were both dear to him.

"He will not be happy with that." Linnathon admitted.

"No, and he will hate that he will be limited for some time to come. This will take him some time to get over and I am not sure he will ever fully recover..." Gailarphen had lowered his voice. There were some sharp ears that could hear in the vicinity, after all.

"He will." Linnathon kept his voice low too. "He will not even contemplate anything else."

"Good, he will need that determination." And Nestoron would need it in abundance. "How are Calandor and Doroniel?"

They made their way over to the newly promised couple. Gailarphen sighed, they both looked much better. Their colour was closer to what it should be. They were still holding hands as if they did not dare let go lest the other vanish altogether.

"They are a good match." There was pleasure in Linnathon's voice. He had been a trainer when Doroniel was under Elrond's tutorage as a new healer. She was so talented at healing and he held more than a little adoration for her. Not that she would ever know that now. As his Naneth had said when they had spoken of it, if it had been meant to be, then Doroniel would have returned his feelings and more would have come of it. He had been heart-broken when she had returned to Mirkwood.

It had taken some time for him to come to terms with his feelings for her, but he had, and that was behind him. He was just glad that she was happy. That was what counted. He would find his life-mate. Who knew what the Valar had planned just around the corner?

"Yes, they are. But they are also far too alike at times, their union will be fiery, but it will only grow through that. They will have many happy years together, I think." He looked up as the door opened and Glorfindel stepped into the chamber. He certainly looked better after a night's sleep.

"Aur maer, Glorfindel." He greeted the Gondolin warrior easily.

"Aur maer, Gailarphen. You look better." Blue eyes had quickly assessed him.

"As do you, although you are a little early." He was not actually, but that did not stop Gailarphen from teasing him.

"I have an herb-gathering class ready to go out and collect for you. I came for a list of the things that you need." Glorfindel pointedly ignored the teasing. He was not in a mood to rise to that this morning.

"It is safe for them to go?" Gailarphen always worried about the elflings. He knew and understood the need to train them in herblore, but it did not stop the worry.

"Yes, I have the guards for the group and others that will shadow them, as usual. They have another added to their group." Glorfindel brightened at that thought.

"Who?" There was humour in Gailarphen's voice. This was a favourite 'punishment' for elflings, both young and old. Although the 'older' elflings were expected to gather more than double the amount the students had to find. Elladan and Elrohir had joined these groups on many occasions after a joke or prank had fallen flat.

"Irfan, he has been causing more problems." There was disdain in Glorfindel's voice.

"Is that wise?" Gailarphen had met Irfan on more than one occasion and, although he himself did not like the man, he was sure he could not be as bad as he seemed, could he?

"Probably not, but it will keep him occupied for the morning and stop his demands for food or wine. He seems to think that we owe him something for helping to bring Elladan and Elrohir home." Glorfindel grudgingly admitted.

"We do owe him for that." Gailarphen looked over to where Elladan sat with his sleeping Adar. The elder twin had taken over from Arwen some time previously. After the tears and joy of the night before it was decided that Arwen should get back to her studies with Erestor. She could sit in Elrond's study with the counselor while he worked, as she had often done before.

"Yes, but not this constant gluttony, not when we need all the food that we can spare to send to both Bree and Fornost." There was a little bitterness in Glorfindel's voice.

"Agreed. I will return shortly with a list of what we need. We always need something, as you know." Gailarphen's smile was strained. The orc attacks were growing in frequency and it seemed they were always treating someone who had come into contact with the foul beasts. Was this how the Mirkwood healers felt when they treated their own kin? The respect he felt for them grew even more.

They did after all deal with this day after day, on a greater scale than Imladris did.

"I know. That is one of the reasons why I send the gatherers out, especially with the danger growing in the South." They could all feel the discord that was steadily growing in Ilúvatar's Song, it felt wrong, just a little off to be sure but not the screaming siren that it had become at the battle of the Last Great Alliance.

Glorfindel sighed. If only Isildur had destroyed the One Ring. If only greed had not coloured his actions. If only he had not been beguiled by the Ring's seductive call... Still, the time for 'if only' was long past.

Isildur had taken the Ring and used it to his own ends. Look where it had led him. Though he had become King, after only three years on the throne, he was lost in an orc ambush, floating face down in a river with black orc arrows in his back. What good had the benighted thing been to him then?

It was Isildur's family that Glorfindel felt sorry for. They were left with such a terrible Legacy. If only that could be lifted from them, maybe Gondor would be happy once more...

Still who knew what the future would bring? There was still the hope for a descendant strong enough to overcome the disgrace of the past and finish the deed as it should have been done then. Glorfindel prayed that he would be in Middle-earth to see that happen.

"Here is what we need." Gailarphen handed over the list and Glorfindel took it and read it.

"More athelas? How much? With Legolas and Nestoron you may have need of plenty." He looked over towards them a frown playing on his face.

"We need as much as can be gathered. Legolas alone is using a lot. I do not begrudge it in the least, but we have only half the amount I like to keep in stock." Gailarphen admitted.

"I will let the guards know, so that they know where to lead the group." Glorfindel promised.

"Good and make sure they give the student's the cautionary talk about not eating anything that they are unsure of. The last thing we need is to have more patients caused by something so stupid." Gailarphen sighed. There was always one student who ate something either by accident or because they had been egged on by so-called friends. Normally it was not a problem, but at present...

"I will. I never forget, although this time I do not think that it is the elflings that need watched." There was a dark undertone to Glorfindel's voice. He really was not happy this morning.

"Good. I had better finish my briefing so Linnathon can get home to his bed and family."

"And I need to get this to the Herblore Master of the party." Glorfindel nodded. "I will be back before the morning meal." Glorfindel nodded and left.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

The sun was warm on his face. He could feel the soft beating of a small heart next to him. Its owner was also asleep and settled. He would have to be careful not to waken him. He was also healing. Sleep would help him. Legolas loved being so safe in his Ada's arms and to have a small heart beating against his own...

A small smile crossed his face at the thought and then it turned into a frown as he realised that his pain was building slowly.

Blue eyes opened to look onto a world bright with sunshine.

"Good morning, Ion-nin." The voice was soft and came from above him. "How do you feel?"

Legolas had to admit that it was a fair question that Adar asked him, so he took the time to find out before answering.

His leg still hurt a lot but not as it had done, not that awful searing pain that made him feel so sick. His arm... well his arm ached, he would admit that, but nothing more than an ache. His head no longer ached and he was glad of that.

Blue eyes sought out blue. "Better, Ada. I am hungry."

"I am not surprised, Legolas, you slept through the morning meal. What would you like?" Thranduil smiled down at the still-pale face. If he knew his son, he would ask for some rabbit stew or something like that, his favourite food since the journey had begun.

"Some porridge, saes, Ada?" Legolas sounded eager.

Thranduil blinked in surprise. Legolas had truly asked for porridge? But… it was always a chore to get him to eat it.

"I like it here." Legolas' voice was sincere and Thranduil blinked. How had Legolas known what he had been thinking? "I am glad. I am sure that the cook will be pleased." Thranduil smiled encouragingly.

"I will see that Caun Legolas gets his porridge." Tarias had spent the morning shadowing Gailarphen, doing anything he could to help. This was the first time he had been back on duty since the he had the talk with Gailarphen and Mithrandir a couple of days ago. He was eager to learn, and almost frantic to prove to them he could be trusted. So far Gailarphen had been pleased with him. Tarias was determined not to disappoint him.

Thranduil saw how hard the young ellon had worked all morning and how he had been so gentle with Legolas when his son's dressings had been changed. "Hennad, that will be most welcome."

"If I can help at all, please let me know?" Tarias looked to Thranduil with an eager, worried face

"We will. Hannon le." Thranduil watched thoughtfully as Tarias left the inner chamber.

Gailarphen caught the look and hurried across to him. He searched his friend and son with his eyes. "What is it? Has he hurt either of you?"

"Nay, relax. He has been very helpful this morning." Thranduil smiled at Gailarphen, he was feeling better this morning, a lot better than he had in some time, since Minerella's death actually. Seeing her one last time had helped him more than anything. If he were to reach in and feel for their connection... there! It was right there. They would never lose that now. He knew that, it had been promised.

"Good. Yes, he has been helpful this morning." Gailarphen grudgingly admitted. It would take some time for him to fully trust the young ellon again but he was willing to try, to give him that chance.

"Perhaps… a little too helpful?" Thranduil asked.

That caught Gailarphen's attention. "What do you mean?"

"I fear he is trying too hard. He desperately wants to prove himself to you. He has done everything you have asked and more this morning, anything to earn a glimmer of thanks or praise from you. If he continues to try like this he will make a mistake. I have seen it with our warriors, the young ones." Thranduil admitted.

"I know he is trying hard. I could see that when we were changing Legolas' dressings." Gailarphen sighed. "I wish I could wipe away the things that he did so that he did not have to struggle like this, could say that it was not he who hurt Elrond, his own Lord, or disrespected you, but he did... was made to, whatever, he has to live with that."

"I know, but all I am asking is that you support him and make sure that he does not reach the point where he does make mistakes. For all that has happened, I like him. I always have liked him on the few occasions we have met in the past." Thranduil was worried about the young ellon. If he did not get the support he needed he may well never realise his full potential.

"You see something in him, do you not?" Gailarphen had a flash of inspiration.

"Aye, I was reminded strongly of a very young novice who tried too hard to make a long shot with his bow, trying to impress his Adar. His hand was shaking so much that he almost shot his own father, who was walking by with some delegates at the time." There was a gentle smile on Thranduil's face.

"You?" Gailarphen guessed, with a raised eyebrow.

"Me." Thranduil nodded with a crooked grin. "I was only about forty at the time. I was terrified that I had hurt Ada. In fact, all I had done was make a hole in his sleeve. He was not amused, but amazingly, he understood." Thranduil looked down at his son, who listened and watched with great wonder. "See, even I missed the target sometimes." He winked conspiratorially.

Something happened then that made everyone in the chamber pause and made Thranduil look down in wonder. It was something he had feared that he would never hear again.

Legolas giggled, not just a little titter either, but a simple spontaneous giggle of joy. It sounded like crystal chimes tinkling in the wind. It was a sound that Thranduil had missed so very much.

Elladan looked up from where he was sitting beside his father. He had missed this little giggle. Normally, you could not get Legolas to stop, once these giggles started. It was nothing like the laugh that he had given only the day before with the squirrel. On reflection, his laughter then had been a little forced, but this?

Well this particular laughter made you glad that you were alive, made you feel that the whole of Arda was joining in with the Elfling Prince's happiness.

In reflection, Elladan thought, with all that had happened it just might be joining in with Legolas' joy. Nothing about his small friend would surprise him anymore.

"Legolas?" There was wonder in Elrond's voice as he woke to hear the laughter. It seemed to lift all of their spirits.

"Yes, Ada, he is laughing." Elladan smiled and nodded in the direction of the joyous pealing laugh.

"That is an incredibly good sign. Help me sit up?" Elrond wanted to see the small Prince, to make sure he was truly much better than he had been before. His slow-healing hand and arm still made moving difficult at times.

"Of course, Ada, but you will not leave this bed." There was a hint of warning in his voice but he smiled to take the sting out of his voice.

"If I were to promise?" Elrond raised a sparse eyebrow. The dark hairs were finally beginning to grow back.

"We would not believe you, mellon nin!" Gailarphen called over, causing Legolas to giggle even more.

"You could never miss, Ada! You are the best shot in Mirkwood, in all of Arda... except Glorfindel." Legolas watched Ada with adoration in his eyes.

Thranduil decided to play along for Legolas' sake. "Oh, now I am wounded." He placed his hand over his heart and closed his eyes, placing his other hand melodramatically to his head. "See, I am about to cry. You think that someone else is a better bowman than I.!"

Legolas giggled. "Stop being silly, Ada. You are the greatest that there is!"

Thranduil laughed then. It felt good to be able to do so. When was the last time he had truly laughed, laughed and meant it? "Hennad, Ion-nin, but I somehow believe that you truly mean that!"

"But I do, Ada. I have seen you shoot, but I have never seen Glorfindel." Legolas assured Ada.

"That is true, Penneth. Well, I suppose we will just have to see who is the better bowman, when we are both well we will see." Thranduil was not worried. He knew there was actually very little difference between their skill.

"I would like that, Ada. I like to see you shoot." Legolas had relaxed against Ada again.

"I look forward to the contest." Gailarphen admitted, they all liked the friendly competitions they held every decade or so. "But, let me ask you, Legolas, how do you feel?" He was back to being all serious.

"I am alright." Legolas' smile was not quite as sunny now.

"I expected him to say that!" Thranduil practically groaned.

"Oh?" Gailarphen looked over at him, the question clear on his face.

"Legolas always says that he is alright, it would seem that things are returning to normal." Thranduil may have sounded frustrated at this turn of events, but inside he was singing.

"I see. Then mayhap I can call on a friend of ours for some help?" Gailarphen looked up to the open windows and almost as if on cue a large head looked in from the window.

"You do not need their help, although they can verify what I am saying. Am I right, Thoronneth?" For that was who was 'guarding' them, along with Faunryn, obviously, Gwaihir was taking a break.

"You are right, Thranduil." A bright, beady eye looked down on Legolas. "Will you tell them or shall I?"

Legolas pouted. This was not fair! They were teaming up on him. How could his Ada do this to him!

"Would you rather tell Gailarphen how you really feel, Penneth?" Thranduil had to smile at the pout.

"I will tell." Legolas sounded unhappy, but he turned to Gailarphen. "My leg still hurts, but not as much as it did before, and my arm just aches."

"I am pleased to hear that Legolas. What about your head?" Gailarphen smiled at him.

"It is…" Legolas stopped and tilted his head to one side, as if to listen. "Someone is coming."

They blinked at the change of subject.

"Who?" Thranduil was as puzzled as the others.

"The nasty man. He is being ill and needs your help." It was simply stated as if they should all be able to hear this.

"Nasty man?" Gailarphen was instantly on the alert. Someone was in need of aid in Imladris, medical aid at that. No matter who they were or what they had done, they would get the aid that they needed.

"It is the Adan healer." Thoronneth told them. He could see what was happening and the trees had sent their warning. Only Legolas among them all had been the one to hear and understand said warning.

"What has happened?" Gailarphen stood, getting ready to gather what he needed, the more he knew the better it would be for the Adan.

"The man ate some mushrooms." Legolas answered before the Eagles had even had the chance to ask the wind and trees themselves.

"Mushrooms?" Gailarphen did not even ask any more questions. He knew that there were some mushrooms that grew around Imladris that caused Adan to fall terribly ill and even two that could kill a human within hours. He just hoped that for all his faults, Irfan had not been that foolish.

"Mushrooms, the trees say big ones and that there is one in the sack carried by Creaslow." Legolas was grateful to be safe in Ada's arms.

"Creaslow? What would Creaslow be doing with Irfan?" Gailarphen was becoming more confused by the minute. He was still asleep and dreaming. He had to be.

"He brings him back with Starlight. They will be here soon." Where did Legolas get that name?

"Starlight?" Gailarphen asked Legolas in confusion.

"It is Creaslow's own mount. He keeps horses near, just in case of emergency." Glorfindel provided the answer.

"But how did Legolas...?"

"The trees. Acorn told me, he likes Starlight. They will be meeting again soon. They have a secret that Creaslow does not know about." There was a happy glint to Legolas' eyes.

"Oh?" There was an answering one within his father's eyes.

"I will not tell." Legolas told him promptly. "Not mine to tell."

"I see. I look forward to finding out what this secret is." Thranduil was highly amused at this new side of his son. Legolas was well and truly growing up. He felt a little sad, but he knew it would happen.

"You will." Legolas assured.

"I will go and meet them. Linnathon, can you cover for me here? I do not want Elrond to leave his bed. He is still exhausted by his little jaunt last night and from the conversation with Galadriel. I certainly do not wish him to leave the chamber." Gailarphen had seen Elrond, limp and exhausted, helped back to his bed last evening and it had caused him some anxiety for his friend. He was still worried over Elrond. He may be recovering but he was not well.

"I do not need to leave the chamber." Elrond was propped up once more against the pillows. Gailarphen looked up sharply from gathering a rudimentary stock of herbs to carry already chopped and ready to use. Time would be of the essence when they reached Irfan.

Elrond sounded more at peace than he had since Celebrían's tragic disappearance all those years ago, more like the friend he had known then. The sadness that had seemed to cloak him since that time was no longer present in quite the same quantity.

Gailarphen knew the sentinels that surrounded Imladris would warn them of the approach of horse and rider. He needed to speak with his friend.

"Elrond?" There was a wealth of question and feeling in his voice.

"I am well, Gailarphen, better than I have been for some time." The still slightly scalded face smiled at him.

"What happened, mellon nin?" Gailarphen kept his voice soft. The fewer who were aware of this the better.

He was really worried about the unidentified quantity that was Tarias, despite what Thranduil had said to him.

"I spoke with Celebrían. She is well and waits for us. Legolas was the only one to understand her call. I will never be able to thank him. Legolas has brought my family a welcome measure of peace." Elrond nodded towards his sons. They too held a peaceful air about them that had been lacking before.

"I am glad, but surely you will wish to speak with her again?" That would be like a magnet to him if ever he had a beloved that passed from Middle-earth before him.

"No, Celebrían will speak when she has need, or if we have need. Legolas will know." There was certainty in Elrond's voice.

"And if Legolas is not here?" There was a hint of skepticism in the healer's voice.

"I will know." The young voice from behind them was soft and sure.

"Legolas! That is a private conversation!" Thranduil was horrified at Legolas' temerity.

That caused Elrond to laugh. "That is the whole point, mellon-nin. Legolas will always know, private or not!"

"What? But… how?" Understanding suddenly dawned. "Oh!"

"Yes, Thranduil, 'oh'." Elrond was serious again.

"But, that would mean..." He stopped, flushing a little in realisation. That would mean that his parents had gone through what he was about to go through, although he had a feeling that his experience was going to be a lot worse, thanks to Legolas' earlier and stronger awakening.

"Nothing you do will be truly private, although I think that Legolas will be aware that some things are more private than others." Elrond eased back to watch his friend, amused. Legolas was astute enough and also too sensitive of how others felt to ever hurt or embarrass anyone like that.

"Yes, he would be." Thranduil would make sure of it, as had his own parents, he realized, now that he looked back with a little more understanding.

"I will not tell." Legolas gently stroked the sleeping duckling. "I am hungry."

Thranduil looked down startled. Legolas made it sound so easy. That he would just accept what happened and move on, saying nothing embarrassing. Not that Thranduil had expected less, but so calmly? When he felt all at sea? Was this how it felt after hearing the call of the sea… so fearful and unsure?

"Legolas..." Thranduil never entertained lady friends. No one would ever replace Minerella that way. That was what made Ruthwen's expectations from him so amazing. No one could replace his wife and no one would ever join him in his bed… not unless they possessed little cold feet and giggled like mad or needed comfort after dream monsters had frightened them awake.

"Yes, Ada?" Innocent, guileless blue eyes turned to look at him.

No. Legolas had no idea what it was that bothered him, apart from the fact that something worried his Ada greatly, something that Legolas was sure he would not like.

A light, worried frown crossed the fair features and Thranduil made himself relax and smile properly for his son.

"You know the importance of not telling nasty tales or spreading naughty stories?" He brushed the hair away from the now healing wound on the small forehead. He had never been gladder that Legolas was beginning to recover.

"Yes, Ada, I have been told. They return to bite you a thousand times." Legolas replied earnestly, almost solemnly.

Thranduil had to choke back the laughter at this heartfelt reply. Who on Arda had told him that?

"Legolas, where did you hear that?" He had to bite his cheek to hide the amusement he was sure was shining from his eyes.

Legolas gave a simple answer. "Reflean."

Thranduil could have sighed. He should have known. Legolas attended private lessons in the Palace, lessons that he needed to learn that the others had not even dreamt of, if they were very lucky would never need to know about. When Thranduil had been learning those same lessons, at Oropher's insistence, he had been allowed to make friends with others his age, so he had demanded the same for Legolas. That way, his already necessarily insular world would not stay that way. When Legolas finished his lessons for the day, and before they shared the evening meal, Legolas would spend some time with some of the elflings near his own age.

One of them, unfortunately, was Reflean, slightly older than Legolas. Thranduil did not particularly like the young ellon. There was something about him for all his tender years that Thranduil could not bring himself to like. He was cocky, always showing off, but the worst part was that he was also showing signs of becoming a bully.

This had been a chance to get Legolas away from his influence. Hopefully by the time they returned to Mirkwood they would have grown sufficiently far apart that his influence on his son would be negligible.

Legolas spoke reluctantly. "I do not like him, Ada. He teases me about Nana. He said it was my fault… Reflean even hit one of the ellith!" There was shock in the elfling's voice and Thranduil was instantly alert. Worry now clouded Legolas' blue eyes as he gazed up at Ada. "What if he hits Blip!"

"He knows better than to do that, Ion-nin." Thranduil hurried to reassure him. Legolas was already worried for the laes and it was barely a month into conception? This would be interesting to see, very interesting.

"How will you do that, Ada? He is so big?" Legolas stroked Fileg a little too hard in his distress before realising what he had done and took a breath to calm down. "He is as bad as the nasty monsters." It was said in a very low voice.

"I am sure that he is not as bad as that." Thranduil tried to calm him. Guessing from the looks that the healers were giving him, they did not want Legolas too upset, or at least no more upset than he was already.

"He is. He tried to push Cealonth in the river the last time we visited the forest!" Legolas hated to tell tales but he was so worried about what the other ellon could do to Blip!

"We will sort this all out when we return home. I can see how good you are at keeping secrets when you need to, but ion-nin, you must also learn the opposite. You must know when you need to tell as well. It is hard to understand, but I will help you all that I can. Trust me, Penneth." Thranduil hugged him gently.

"We will spend more time together?" There was hope in Legolas' voice. Everything else seemed to have been forgotten.

"Would you like that?" Thranduil knew that he would. The days never seemed quite so long when Legolas was with him.

"Yes, Ada. I can help you. My letters are good now." Legolas beamed proudly at him and then stopped. "They are coming and the nasty one is very sick."

Gailarphen nodded to Thranduil and went to the door as Tarias hurried in with the bowl of porridge in his hands.

"Tarias, come with me. We have a very sick human to look after." Gailarphen took the bowl and handed it to Linnathon. His father had an old saying. Keep your friends close but your enemies or perceived enemies right next to you so you could see the whites of their eyes. He had fallen with Oropher during the battle that ended the Last Great Alliance. He had died the way he wanted to and his mother had sailed.

Tarias looked surprised and could only nod before turning and following him out of the chamber.

"What has happened, Master Gailarphen?" There was an anxious edge to Tarias' voice. He had not been expecting to help treat patients, really treat patients for some time to come, certainly not so soon after his return. Should he tell the Master Healer, whom he admired, that he was not ready? That he may never again feel that he could treat patients?

"The Adan healer, Irfan, has ingested some of the mushrooms that grow about Imladris and is very ill. I want your help to prepare the herbs." This would let Gailarphen get some idea as to how he was progressing with his studies. They would go back to the beginning and start all over again if necessary.

"I can do that." He could, that was the easy part. He loved learning about the herblore and how the herbs interacted with each other. This way he would not have to deal with the patient directly. "But are not two of the mushrooms deadly for Edain?"

Gailarphen looked up, pleased at that. So Tarias knew his herbs and plants. That boded very well.

"Indeed they are and Legolas tells me that he has one of the mushrooms still and that will help us greatly." The edge had eased in his voice, a little. Perhaps Thranduil was right and there was hope for him after all. He had never really known Elrond to be wrong.

"The Caun? How did the Caun know that?" Tarias was puzzled as they hurried.

Gailarphen could have kicked himself. They had been keeping that as closely guarded as they could and he had let it slip within minutes.

He opened his mouth to speak and turned his head... only for a voice to cry out.

"Gailarphen!" The voice called out and he turned to look down the corridor. Racing towards them was Eirien.

"Eirien, suilad!" He gave a small bow and Tarias followed with a somewhat deeper one.

"None of that with me, young man, you should know that by now!" She placed her hands on her hips but her eyes twinkled as they both straightened with alacrity.

"It is a bad habit I know. How do you fare this morning?" Gailarphen was watching her even as he made certain that they were still moving.

"I slept like a dragon! All night! I cannot recall the last time that happened." She was pleased with that. A full night's undisturbed sleep had been a welcome change. She was always more worried that Wolraven would have one of his attacks in his sleep and need her. She prayed that they were all recovering. If only she had some news. Mayhap she would write later.

"You look much better for the rest." Gailarphen smiled. She did as well, not so grey and exhausted.

"I feel it, younger, more alive. Are you sure that there is no such thing as Elven magic?" She chided them gently before laughing.

Gailarphen forced himself to join in her laughter. It just hit a little too close to truth, for without Vilya and Elrond they would not have this wonderful hidden oasis of calm. It was, in essence, magic that had created the peaceful safety of Imladris and which also maintained it.

"What is it with you and 'Elven' magic? You know there is no such thing!" Gailarphen forced himself to jest with Eirien.

"No, but it feels like it." Eirien was calmer than she had been for some time and it showed. "The air is sweeter and the light brighter. Even the birdsong seems to be more... precious. After the last few months in Bree this is a welcome change. I did not realise that I needed the break quite as badly as I did."

"Then I am glad that you are here with us and will be for some time to come." Gailarphen knew all too well how hard her life in Bree was. Hopefully, now, with Caric as Mayor, things would begin to change for them all there.

"I will have to go back home very soon. I have a wedding to arrange and I am sure that Caric will not be eating properly and the thought of Wolraven..." She shook her head. "Well where are we going?"

Gailarphen blinked. 'They' were not going anywhere. He and Tarias were but Eirien was a guest in Imladris and an honoured and loved guest at that.

"We…" He gestured to Tarias and himself, "…are going to treat an emergency patient. You are going to go back and rest."

"I think not. I have not had so much time with nothing to do in my life! If I go another day without anything to do I will go mad, or kill Irfan, either will do!" Eirien was set about that. If necessary she would help the cook in the kitchens or look after the elflings. That would be nice.

"Very well." Gailarphen was well used to that tone of voice and there was no hope of fighting it. "Irfan has eaten some mush..."

"I should have known!" Eirien threw her hands into the air in exasperation. "What has the stupid toad done now?"

"As I was saying, he has eaten some mushrooms that he should not have and he has fallen ill." Gailarphen gently hefted the improvised herb pack in his arms as they stepped out into the spring sunshine.

"The idiot is always thinking of nothing but himself and his stomach!" There was utter exasperation in her voice.

"True, and it has caused problems. But, he is hurt and in need of our help. He will receive that help." Gailarphen looked up as the sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed in the clearing. "Here they are."

They stepped out to meet them.

Eirien would later admit to Caric, hand on heart, that when she saw the former healer in that moment, all feelings of hatred and revenge, which she hated to admit to having, fled. In their place grew concern for the man who had caused so much hurt to her family and people. It seemed that this was not the Irfan that she had known and grown up with. This was not the arrogant healer that had sold out Bree, but a man who was sick and hurting.

Irfan was nestled into the dark-haired elf's arms, sweating heavily, face grey and lined. He appeared to have aged years in just the single day since she had last seen him.

"Get him down!" She was ready with open arms to help them as other healers and warriors hurried out to join them.

Soon, Eirien hurried with them into the healing wing, nagging at them to hurry...

Gailarphen found that he was growing more and more amused. He had a finger on Irfan's rapid pulse, but it seemed that, despite their advanced enmity, Eirien was not about to let the former healer pass from this world.

"Get a bed free!" Eirien cried as they entered the healing wing.

That did not suit Gailarphen and he overrode that order instantly.

"The inner sanctum!" Just three words but it told the waiting healers all they needed to know. This was a dangerously ill patient.

Eirien opened her mouth to argue but found herself left behind in the rush. She hurried after them.

She arrived to find that Irfan had already been placed on the bed nearest the door, the first that was free. Tarias was searching through the herb pack, looking for the mushroom.

Eirien ignored the young elf and went straight to the bed. They were removing the man's outer clothing.

"How is he? You hold on, you old devil! This is far too easy an end for you!" She bent and spoke in his ear, earning a groan. That was better than nothing she guessed, even hoped.

"I will tell you in a moment!" Gailarphen had other things on his mind. Like the fact that the Adan's temperature was rising. "Have you found it yet?" All he needed was to know what mushrooms he had eaten and then he could treat Irfan but if he gave him the wrong herbs it would be disastrous!

"No!" Tarias was searching every blade, every root he could find, but still there was nothing.

"It is at the bottom, in middle, caught up in some roots." The small voice sounded in the chamber. Eirien looked over to see Legolas and Thranduil watching them.

Tarias gave a distracted nod and moved the area of his search. There, just where the Caun had said it would be, was the mushroom...

"Here!" The bag fell to the floor, forgotten, as he took the mushroom to the Master Healer.

Gailarphen reached for the offending item, took it and turned it over. Only once he was sure about what he was seeing did he smile in relief. It was not one of the deadly poisonous mushrooms. It was only going to make the human feel that he wished that it was.

"Is it poisonous?" Eirien had joined them.

"Not dangerously so, but he will not be happy for a while. I need a purgative. We need to get the mushrooms out of him. The one thing that I do not understand is this fever. The mushroom would not cause that." Gailarphen was not aware that he had continued to talk aloud, lost to his musings.

"Could he have an infection?" Eirien asked as worry filled her. If he was infectious they would all need to be careful, especially with some of her friends so ill.

"Infection?" Gailarphen's bright eyes turned towards her.

"Yes, Gailarphen, infection. We humans do get them, you know." There was gentle teasing in her voice.

"Of course!" He could have hit his own head, how could he have overlooked the possibility? But then so much had been going on.

"You had forgotten." It was a whisper in his ear. "I will not tell anyone."

Gailarphen felt his face flush, feeling like a little elfling once more.

"What do you think it is?" He had treated Edain, but normally for injuries those that were ill were normally Elrond's forte.

"I don't know." Was the honest reply. "We do need to find out. Who was the last to speak to him before he left?" Thanks to the mushrooms his behaviour since leaving Imladris might be forgotten.

"That would be me." Glorfindel entered, having heard about the man's misfortune He tried to hide just how weary he was, Gailarphen had already commented on how much better he had looked that morning. If only he knew.

"How did he seem, mellon nin?" Gailarphen was not that surprised that it was Glorfindel that had been the last to see Irfan.

"Irritating, annoying, sarcastic…" There was a small hard grin on Glorfindel's face. "…but definitely not unwell."

"What makes you say that?" This would be precise and interesting.

"All Irfan wanted was food and wine. He has been causing trouble. I had to put an end to that. That was why I agreed that sending him on the herb gathering expedition would be beneficial." Glorfindel tiredly brushed at his eyes. "It would seem that I was wrong about that too."

"What makes you say that?" Eirien would not let Glorfindel blame himself for something that Irfan had done to himself.

"I had him under close guard, yet look what happened. Perhaps I should resign my position here." Glorfindel would not meet their eyes.

"I do not think that that would be of any use to any of us. You are needed here." Eirien gently patted his arm. "Just because Irfan ate something he should have known better not to, does not make it your fault."

"But he was in my care." Glorfindel was stubborn.

"He is a grown man." There was a bite to her words.

"Next to me, he is naught but a child." Glorfindel bit back.

"Be that as it may, he is also, supposedly, a healer." Eirien gave a disdainful sniff. "He should have known better. I would expect little Tiera to know better than that."

Sudden hope flooded the crystal-blue eyes. Glorfindel had been so busy blaming himself that he had not seen it in that light.

"You think so?"

"Of course, Glorfindel, I know so." Gailarphen spoke. "Any good healer would have known this mushroom and its effects. For an adult to eat this, and for that adult to be a healer, speaks only of incompetence or greed and likely a mixture of both."

"Then it was my fault." Glorfindel's words were flat.

"How so?" Gailarphen was surprised. How could Glorfindel blame himself?

"I made certain he had only limited amounts of the plainest food. I should not have. "

"Glorfindel, it would have made little difference, knowing Irfan, even if you had fed him a feast he would still have eaten the mushrooms!" Eirien cut him off. She would not let Glorfindel indulge in self-doubt when he had nothing to worry about.

"I am not so certain." Glorfindel would not meet their eyes and did not see the worried look that the two shared over his bowed head.

Gailarphen had never heard his friend sound so defeated. Almost, but never this bad. The last time had been… Illumination flooded his mind and he looked sternly at the blond warrior. "When was the last time you slept a full night. Pray to the Valar you do not give the answer I expect."

Eirien breathed in sharply as she understood what the problem may be.

Glorfindel did not answer, a stubborn silence hung between them.

"Glorfindel, please answer." Eirien gently touched his arm, almost as if he was a child and she was frightened of scaring him.

Glorfindel slowly looked up, showing haunted blue eyes rimmed with dark circles.

Gailarphen winced. Glorfindel was pale and obviously exhausted. How had he missed this? "You need to sleep." His voice was firm.

"I have too much to do." Glorfindel seemed to pull himself together and stood taller, his exhaustion seeming to vanish. Eirien blinked, had she imagined it?

"Oh no, you do not!" Gailarphen did not sound amused. "You will rest and rest now!"

Glorfindel shook his head. "As I said, we all have too much to do. With El..."

"Gailarphen has said that you will rest." Eirien had her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "You have two choices, old friend. What happens next is entirely up to you."

"Choices?" He blinked at her. Glorfindel was not used to having this directed at him.

"Yes, two choices, Glorfindel. You can either retire to bed and sleep, or I will put you to bed and assure that you only leave said bed when I say so." Her voice was firm as she glared at him.

"You would not!" It was not helped by the snigger that came from behind him. It seemed a certain 'friend' was getting too much pleasure from this.

"I would, and I will tie you to the bed if necessary!" It was no idle threat.

"I would have to agree with Eirien and will help her if I must." Mithrandir had joined them. Glorfindel had been completely unaware of it.

He blinked a little, shocked, but collected himself and shook his head. "No."

"Glorfindel." There was warning in Gailarphen's voice. Why was he being so stubborn about all this?

Glorfindel sighed and closed his eyes. How could he explain? He certainly knew that he had to try.

"Yes, I am tired. Yes, I know that I need to sleep." That was actually an understatement. He was on the brink of collapse.

"So, why will you not sleep?" Mithrandir's voice was gentle. There must be more going on here than met the eye.

"I cannot sleep. I close my eyes and I see..." It shocked them that Glorfindel actually shuddered.

"You see what, ellon nin?" Gailarphen was alarmed.

"I see it." Just three words, but for those who knew him, it spoke volumes.

"It?" Eirien was confused. She had no idea what the blond Gondolin warrior was talking about.

Her question was ignored.

"How long?" Gailarphen shared a worried look with Mithrandir.

"Since Elrond... was burned" Glorfindel covered his eyes with a shaking hand. He would never forget seeing Elrond fall into the fire, being unable to help. The smell of burning flesh had brought back so many bad memories, memories that he prayed had been buried with the passage of time. How wrong he had proven to be.

"So you have been ignoring the need to sleep, denying yourself the rest you need? I wish you had spoken to me about this, mellon iaur. I could have helped you." Gailarphen realised as he spoke that Glorfindel should not have needed to do so. He should have known his friend was suffering.

Glorfindel's desperate flight to aid Tuor, Idril and their son Eärendil to escape from burning Gondolin and then his death at the hands of the fiery Balrog had left deep emotional scars even after his return to Middle-earth and just the smell of burning flesh would have been enough to bring them back to the surface. The nightmares Glorfindel experienced before, on the trip back from rescuing Thranduil's group, should have warned Gailarphen.

"What was there to talk about? It will ease." Glorfindel shrugged disconsolately.

"Yes, dear one, it will. All will seem better when you have had some decent sleep." Eirien wanted nothing more than to hug him. "I will stay with you. Come, I will make certain that you are comfortable." She led him to a bed right next to Elrond, who was watching worriedly.

"Glorfindel?" He watched his friend full of worry.

"I am well, just tired." Elrond frowned at the wealth of meaning in those words. He was well aware of what this meant for Glorfindel, the nightmares were back.

"Then you must rest." Long association had taught him how to deal with this situation. There were only two things they could do. Give him herbs to make him sleep, and then make him talk. But Glorfindel, being Glorfindel, would only talk about it to a select few and with great hesitancy. Elrond would be the one to make him talk, normally. He actually expected that he, Thranduil and Erestor might talk over a bottle or two of their best Dorwinion and he rather thought that Mithrandir would join them.

"No!" Glorfindel shook his head.

They had been so focused on the blond warrior of Gondolin they had even forgotten Irfan, although, thank the Valar, Linnathon, with Tarias, had taken over preparing the herbs that they needed, purgative herbs to make him sick and then others to calm it once he was purged. Maybe that would teach him to think as well, if he was lucky.

"Is Glorfindel ill?" The small voice made them all jump.

"No, Legolas, I am well." Glorfindel tried to spread a smile on his face. It failed, looking more like a grimace than anything else.

"You need Fileg." To the small Prince it was obvious. Fileg peeped in agreement while the others smiled.

"I will be alright, penneth. Keep your friend with you." Glorfindel may not be as bad about ducks as he had been in the past, but he still would rather keep his distance.

Fileg peeped and Legolas gave a wide, beaming smile. "He says he will not bite you!"

That brought a smile to Glorfindel's tired face. "I know, and I trust Fileg, but he is your friend and he should be with you."

"I will be with him, but you need him too." Glorfindel tried to say no, but it seemed Legolas had made up his mind. "Saes? He will help."

The blue eyes held such pleading that Glorfindel could not say no and he nodded, albeit reluctantly.

Eirien smiled to herself as she came to Legolas' side. The duckling seemed quite at home with them. Legolas had them all wrapped around his little finger but the charming thing was that the small Prince was completely and utterly unaware of it!

She distinctly heard him say "Make him better, Fileg." as he handed the duckling to her.

"I am sure that he will, Dear One. Just you rest as well?" The sound of Irfan retching came from behind them. She gave a rueful smile.

"I will." Legolas looked over at Irfan with mild concern. "Silly man."

"Yes he is, but hopefully he will learn from this. Sleep well." She gently placed a kiss on the healing forehead. To her delight, she got a kiss in return. Legolas was such a sweet child. By this age her son, Wolraven, did not want to even be hugged let alone kissed.

"I will." Legolas happily snuggled against his father as he watched Eirien return to Glorfindel.

"Bed, Young Man, and now!" There was the tone of an order in her voice as she shooed Glorfindel toward the bed.

Glorfindel blinked at the tone. It was not one he had been subjected to for millennia, the tone of a worried mother.

"I will be well. I just need to sit down for a while." It was a waste of his breath.

"You will do more than that!" Eirien growled, angry now that the elf that she had known all her life could suddenly be so foolish. "You get undressed and into the bed now or I will lead you by your sorry ear and make you do it!"

Eirien glowered, adding weight to her words. She would do it, if necessary. There was a delicately pointed ear that seemed to be just perfect to hold onto... just as she had once held onto Wolraven's ear and dragged him through Bree when he had disobeyed.

Elladan could not smother the laugh he felt at the mental image The Mighty Balrog Slayer being led by his ear!

"It is not funny!" Even exhaustion could not stop him from rounding on the elder Twin.

"Actually, it is." Thranduil was grinning from beside Legolas. He had seen Eirien in similar battle before when 'one of hers' was injured or being foolish and nothing would keep her from making them see sense. Glorfindel may as well give in now and save a small shred of his dignity.

"No, it is not! I am not a little elfling to be tucked into bed!" Glorfindel would not let this happen.

"Oh yes, you will be. Older than me, you may be, but that does not make you wiser, certainly not in this case." If anything, Eirien's stance was even straighter and her visage sterner than ever, undaunted by the fact she only stood as tall as his shoulders.

It was not a very comfortable position to be in, faced with a determined Eirien. Glorfindel actually felt his mouth go dry. This was one battle that he could not win no matter how hard he tried. Besides, he really was too tired to care. He could only attempt to retain as much dignity as possible.

"I will sleep. You need not pretend to be my Naneth!" Tiredness, nay exhaustion, made him snap. He did not mean to, but he could not help it.

"Then stop acting like a child and get ready for bed. I believe that by the time you are ready to settle there will be a tea for you." She cast a look over at Gailarphen who nodded. Her guess was correct.

Glorfindel just sighed, but what prompted him to move more than anything was the worried. "Glorfindel?" From behind him.

Wide blue eyes looked worriedly at him. Yes, Legolas was worried about his friend, but he was not the only one, Legolas could feel worry in the Song and it frightened him. He kept getting flashes of fire, fire that he was sure he did not like.

It would be many years later, and a different scenario, before Legolas truly understood what those flashes of flame and heat were. It was also something that he would never forget.

But for now all he knew was that he was scared, that his friend was scared and hurting. And that he needed to help him.

"I am well, penneth, just tired." Then an idea caught his tired mind. "If I sleep, will you?"

Legolas considered and then nodded. He was comfortably full from that wonderful porridge that had been brought for him. It really was so much better than it was at home, but it also made him sleepy.

He nodded his agreement, sleep sounded perfect about now.

"Ada?" He watched as Glorfindel made his way to the bed beside Lord Elrond.

"Yes, Legolas?" Thranduil was more than a little amused at the relationship that his son was developing with Glorfindel.

"May I go outside later, after I have slept?" Legolas' eyes were drawn to the window-doors that led out into the wooded glade beside the healing ward.

"Perhaps, we shall see." Thranduil wanted to wait and see how his son fared later. He also wanted the healer's say in this. He had just seen the evidence of how slowly Legolas was healing. The infection was still heavily present. There was still the chance that his leg would not fully heal and his arm... The break did not seem to be healing either.

"Saes, Ada?" Big, wide, pleading blue eyes turned to him.

Thranduil almost cracked and gave in at that look. He wanted Legolas to return to his normal, happy self. But, reason won out. "We will see, Ion-nin. Once you have slept and eaten a little more, if Gailarphen agrees, then yes, you can go out into the glade."

"Hannon le, Ada. I want to see the rabbits again." Legolas' smile was bright.

"They will still be there tomorrow, Legolas." Thranduil had to smile at his son's enthusiasm.

"I could see them again then!" Legolas beamed at this suggestion.

That made Thranduil laugh, it seemed Legolas had him over a barrel, as usual.

"We will see, Legolas. But first you need some sleep." Thranduil loved his son greatly, more than he could put into words. He grimaced at the sound of more retching from across the chamber.

"You too, Ada?" Blue eyes watched him closely.

Thranduil sighed. He had hoped to hide his growing weariness from all of them, mostly Gailarphen.

"I will rest as well, Legolas." What choice did he have?

There was a stubborn set to Legolas' small face. "Sleep."

Gailarphen turned away to hid his smile. Why did he need to get involved when Legolas was doing such a good job of it already?

"I said I will rest, Legolas." Thranduil frowned at his son.

"Sleep." There was that wonderfully stubborn set to his son's chin. Valar, he had missed this so much. It was almost worth going through this to witness this alone.

"Later." Yes, he was pushing it just to see this.

"Now, sleep now, Ada!" There it was, finally! The pout to really end all pouts!

"Why?" Thranduil was glowing.

"Love you! Need you! You are tired!" Legolas told him.

"Oh, I see. In that case, dian Las, I will snuggle up and sleep with you. I will keep you from harm." Thranduil hugged his son gently as he grinned in triumph, looking up at his father.

"Good, but no Monsters are here." Legolas assured him. More sounds of retching made him look around worriedly.

"It is alright, Legolas. They are helping him." Thranduil hurried to reassure him.

"He is hurting." Legolas was worried for the man even if he was afraid of him.

"It will help, I promise. I am sure it will stop soon." Thranduil looked to Gailarphen for help.

"It will, Legolas. We just need to get the bad mushrooms out of him and he will get better." He tried to reassure the elfling.

"But the trees say he is ill. That his chest hurts and is tight." Legolas was puzzled at that. How could the man's chest be tight?

"They do? I will go and look at him. Would that make you happy?" Legolas nodded, trust and relief on his face. If Gailarphen was looking after him, he would be well. "Good, do you need something for that pain?"

"Better now." Legolas sounded content.

Thranduil was not sure he believed that. "Thoronneth?" He looked up to the large bird.

"The little one still has some pain but not as bad. He is tired. The birds are singing to him, to help him sleep." Thoronneth spoke so softly it was hard to hear.

They all shared startled glances and stopped to listen. They tuned out Eirien's voice from where she was still gently berating Glorfindel. They tuned out the sounds of retching from Irfan. Instead they listened to the Song.

The Song was one of the most beautiful they had ever heard. All sorts of birds lent their voices to help the small Prince and the tune they wove was incredible. There in the midst of it was a small 'peep' as Fileg joined in to help the friend who had helped him so much.

Thranduil had tears in his eyes. Never had he witnessed such a thing.

"That is amazing." Tarias was listening as well. "What is causing that?"

"The birds." Elladan stood and came to the window. "They are singing for Legolas." He looked up to see that the trees about them were full of birds. Ranging from doves right through to the tiniest of woodpeckers from this years nests, they gave voice to their love.

Thranduil looked down to his son about to make a comment to his son, but stopped. Legolas was already asleep, his mouth drawn up in a small smile as he listened to the tune. His eyes were closed though, and that caused a twinge as Thranduil noted it.

"He is asleep." Thoronneth commented gently.

"Hannon le, mellon nin." Thranduil was surprised by a yawn that overtook him.

"It was their wish to sing for him. Legolas is as precious to us as he is to you. Sleep." There was a hypnotic quality to the Great Eagle's voice and Thranduil found himself following the instructions.

Gailarphen sighed with relief and gave quiet thanks for the bird's song. Two down and one to go, if he could just convince Glorfindel.

"See, Glorfindel? Legolas has kept to his part of the bargain, now it is time for you to keep yours. Into that bed now and drink that tea!" Eirien would not take no for an answer and Gailarphen was pleased. Perhaps he would not have a third battle.

"I do not need... I will sleep. I promised Legolas." Glorfindel could not let the small Caun down. He would keep his word.

He silently slid between the sheets and was aware of the others watching him worriedly.

He gave them a tired grin. "I am sorry. I should have said something earlier. I know, like Thranduil, I am very stubborn at times."

"I believe we have met someone who is just as stubborn, if not actually more so, than Thranduil." Gailarphen was certain of that.

"Who would that be?" Glorfindel took the goblet that was held out to him by Linnathon.

"Legolas. You did not see the way he just wound Thranduil right around his little finger to get exactly what he wished? I do not think that Legolas was even really aware of what he was doing. He was more interested in getting his Father to sleep." There was a wide grin on his face. If he had not seen it, he would not have believed it at all.

Mithrandir was watching the sleeping Prince. "Yes, I have seen him do it before over smaller things. It is always something he is incredibly worried about and not something minor. He is a great gift."

Gwaihir had re-joined his kin having been woken from sleep by the soft song of his smaller kin. "More than you know, Gandalf. It is not many that the birds will sing for like this. I have never seen it before."

"You have never seen this before?" There was wonder in the Maia's voice as he looked at the Great Eagle.

"Never and neither have I heard from the Elders of it happening. It was a gift, for the Young One." Gwaihir bobbed his head in honour as did the other two with him.

"We are honoured to have witnessed it, Mellon nin. I will insure that it is never forgotten." Elrond sounded exhausted, as exhausted as Mithrandir himself felt. This had been a hard journey. Mithrandir was still not sure that it was over.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Irfan had never felt such pain in all his life. One minute he had been blessedly asleep and then he had been wide awake and in Agony. And it was just that, Agony with a capital A.

"You need to drink this, it will help." The voice was heavily accented but he could understand it.

He cracked open an eye to look at the person speaking to him, but closed it with a groan. His hand reached out to take the goblet, shaking madly. He rather hoped that it would be some wine.

Then he tasted it and almost spat it out, it tasted foul! The only thing that stopped him was the fact that he could not move away from the goblet, it was being held tightly to his lips. He either drank it or drowned.

Finally, it was finished and he could take a deep breath in time to hear the angry words of the blond elf that had been so nasty to him. It seemed that he was in trouble. Irfan was pleased. Eirien and the haughty elf deserved it. Let them make each other miserable.

But what really caught his interest were the two blond elves who were sharing a bed. The familial resemblance was startling and he knew instantly who it was that he saw. It was the ones who had caused such heartache to his Lady, the King and his Brat! Well, at least he knew what they looked like for later. Maybe some good could come of this, after all.

And then his stomach began to rebel. He tried to stop it, he had no idea what could be causing this, but he could not. In the end could only make use of the basin provided.

First they starved him, and then they made him work and now this! What more indignity could they force upon him? He would never forgive them.

Again and again his stomach emptied as he heard Eirien berate the elf. Good, he would not be the only one miserable.

Suddenly, silence filled the room. He looked up to see them looking up and he followed their line of sight, nausea forgotten. He gaped.

That could not be! He must be feverish, to imagine this. He must be delirious... For looking down at then were two huge bird's heads… that looked like Eagles.

They could not exist! They were an abomination! They were... they were Meat Eaters! They could eat him and not think twice about it. What were they doing here?

Irfan felt his chest tighten as panic set in. He could not get enough air, but he could also not look away from the birds that scared him so much, if he did not move maybe they would not see him.

Then movement and noise returned to the chamber and he felt somewhat relieved as the birds withdrew out of the window. He did not see the large black eye watching him sadly through the window.

Did the man really think that he would eat him? They would never dare touch a human! They were too much like the Firstborn, maybe not as pure, but they would always be protected. The Secondborn were Ilúvatar's children as well.

Gwaihir gave a mournful thrum and felt a wing gently hug him. He turned to see the young Eagle, Thoronneth.

"He does not know us. He is frightened, and does not know us. He will learn." Thoronneth sounded so sure. Gwaihir was glad, they would always give aid no matter what.

Irfan suddenly felt his stomach rebel once more, as he relaxed, but there was nothing there now to lose. All he did was hurt the muscles in his stomach.

The accented voice sounded again and he opened his eyes miserably. "Close your eyes. This will help. When I say to breath in, breathe in deeply."

They had done this to him and they wanted him to trust them?

"It will stop the nausea." The voice was firm.

Irfan gulped. He was not sure, but then another retch made his mind up and he nodded. He did not have the strength to answer.

"Good, now close your eyes tightly." Linnathon watched as the large human did just that. "Good. Now take a breath and breathe out." He had the finely crushed herb ready and as he watched the man breathe out, he spoke once more. "Breathe!"

Irfan took the breath almost instinctively and felt something hit his face and disappear, as if by magic.

The resultant gulp he gave was not normal and the look of panic that crossed his face spoke volumes as did the grey colour of his skin.

Linnathon's voice rang out urgently. "Gailarphen!" It was the last thing Irfan heard.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

To be continued...

There! Another chapter done. We are sorry that it has taken so long to update, but we have both had varying problems that have kept us away from the PC. We are back and with an extra long chapter to make it up to you! Please let us know what you think?

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