Chapter Twenty Five; Rescue ; Part One
Annadur glanced over his shoulder once again to find his younger brother, Ancadur, still nervously eyeing his torch, as its guiding flames flickered in the occasional draught of stale air. The young elf had only recently been assigned to the Palace Guard and this was his first time venturing so far beneath the mountain. Annadur could not help but smile a little at his sibling's discomfort.
Feeling his older brother's eyes upon him, Ancadur tore his gaze from the light so he could give his brother a questioning yet defiant look.
"What ?" he demanded sullenly.
"Nothing," Annadur replied a little too smugly, as he faced forward once more and continued to search the ever decreasing passageway ahead.
But Ancadur could not help but notice the almost imperceptible shudder in his brother's shoulders as he failed miserably to hide his mirth.
"I fail to see what you find so amusing !" the young elf hissed, then inwardly groaned once more at Captain Hinheal's decision to place him on the same watch as his older brother.
Once his training had been completed, he had hoped to be assigned to the border patrols, to see the enemy up close and engage in regular skirmishes. The life style appealed to him and excited his young spirit but it was not to be, for the moment his tutors considered him to be too rash and a little reckless and so they assigned him to the Palace Guard until he learned to 'think as well as act'. The decision had hurt but he bowed to the wisdom of his elders, he would not bring dishonour to his family by questioning their decision.
However matters soon took a further turn for the worse when he learned he would be serving in the same watch as his recently promoted brother.
Annadur, a newly appointed Lieutenant, was older by ten yén and Ancadur felt as though he had lived most of his life in his acclaimed brother's shadow for the elder sibling was gifted when it came to handling both knives and swords and his skills had won him countless competitions and recognition.
Despite this, Ancadur still loved his brother very much, after all they were all each other had. Their father had been killed in an unfortunate accident long ago and their grief stricken mother sailed west once her children had reached their majority.
But there were times when the elder elf's superior attitude grated on his nerves and this was one of those times.
Annoyed now, Ancadur pushed past his sniggering brother in the narrow passageway, deliberately knocking hard against his shoulder as he went. Soon it was his turn to smile as he heard his brother's muffled curses.
Time seemed to pass so slowly as they made their way ever eastward through the damp, oppressive tunnel. Eventually both elves were unable to stand tall, their normally perfectly straight posture was abandoned as they found themselves stooping in order to continue further. Shortly after, they were forced to remove their quivers for fear of damaging the feather fletchings on their arrows against the jagged rock ceiling that loomed ominously above them.
Ancadur came to the conclusion that he most definitely did not like tight enclosed places and he wondered what on Arda possessed the Prince and his friend to venture down here.
It was then that he thought he heard something very faint in the distance, a banging sound with almost a metallic ring to it. He stopped in his tracks and waited for his brother to get closer.
"Did you hear that ?" he asked, but did not wait for a reply.
Instead he called out.
"Prince Legolas ! Galadon ! Are you there ?" he shouted and listened as his voice echoed down the tunnel.
"How am I supposed to hear anything with you roaring like a warg in heat ?" the new Lieutenant censured.
Ancadur merely sighed and cast a baleful glare in his brother's direction.
"Shush listen," he instructed his brother, "it will come again."
But as they waited, hardly breathing, the same sound did not come again, this time both brothers heard the unmistakeable cry of a call for help.
Annadur's smile defeated the surrounding gloom as he gripped his brother on the shoulder.
"You have found them !" he beamed, "Ancadur, you have found the Prince !"
All at once his negative thoughts were washed away and replaced with a flood of relief, his time spent searching in this hideous place would not be in vain. He only hoped that the elflings were hale.
And so he made his way towards the pleading voice with his older brother as quickly as the treacherous floor would allow.
"We are coming !" Ancadur shouted back while they ran, "we are coming !"
They soon found themselves crouched down before a small opening in the wall of the tunnel, Annadur crawled partially inside with the torch but could still see very little except for the faint glow of a dying torch in the distance, still it was obvious that the voice was very close.
"Who's there ?" the young voice cried out, seemingly from below.
Both guards were struck by the combination of fear, exhaustion and hope hidden in the words.
"My name is Annadur, I am a Lieutenant in the Palace Guard," the elf reassured, "my brother Ancadur is also with me…….is that you Galadon ?"
"Yes," the elfling replied with utter joy, his voice cracking as tears of relief began to spill down his grime covered face.
"Is the Prince with you ?" Ancadur demanded anxiously, also leaning into the gap.
"Yes but…………but he is injured……………..his leg is broken," Galadon replied hesitantly, worried that he would be held accountable.
"I am here," Legolas called out, some what sleepily, from further down the deep well, "it is nothing serious but I am unable to move and Galadon has banged his head," he added, making sure their rescuers were made aware of his friend's injury.
"It is good to hear you both, we shall have you out soon but first we need to send for more help, do not try to get out," Annadur advised, "we will come to you as soon as possible, I shall leave now to find the others but my brother will stay with you."
"Thank you !" both elflings called out.
"Please hurry !" Galadon added, knowing his friend was in a far worse state than he let on, then he carefully began to lower himself back down the slippery rock face.
He was a short distance from the base of the well, when the spluttering torch above him finally died, leaving him to make the remainder of the journey in complete darkness. Once his feet plunged into the icy water below, he tentatively felt his way over to where his injured friend lay prone. He found one of the Prince's hands and was shocked to feel how cold it was and it was then that he felt the tremors invading Legolas' body, he was thankful that his friend would be unable to see his worried expression in the suffocating darkness.
"Give me your other hand Legolas," the young elf instructed.
"What-t-t for ?" the Prince asked, through chattering teeth.
"Why do you always have to answer everything with a question ?" Galadon sighed wearily.
For once Legolas remained silent and simply did his best to pass his numbed hand over to his friend. He was surprised to find how difficult such a simple manoeuvre had become.
The Prince's compliance was further cause for concern, Galadon held his friend's hands within his own and began to rub them furiously together then he moved up his arms and over his torso, repeating the movements over and over, trying his best to restore some warmth into the elf's rapidly cooling body.
"We shall be rid of this place soon my friend, do not worry," Galadon swore.
High above, Annadur pulled himself out from the crawl space, he passed the torch to his brother and removed the spare one strapped to his own quiver. As he lit the second torch, he spoke softly.
"I shall go now to the others, talk to them Ancadur, reassure them that you are still here, they are frightened, knowing you are here will help them," and with that parting comment the young Lieutenant rushed off to notify his Captain.
Meanwhile down in the pitch dark shaft, Galadon was becoming increasingly anxious over his friend's increasingly listless state, it was getting harder and harder to get a response from him.
Ancadur eased into the small opening and grimaced at the feel of the wet, slippery stone beneath him, it seemed as if the rocks themselves were leaking, he was most careful not to upset his only source of light and called down to the elflings.
"Prince Legolas, Galadon ! My brother has left, be assured, it won't be long now."
"Ancadur ! Ancadur ! Something is wrong with Legolas !" the elfling's panicked shouts echoed throughout the larger interior cavern.
"What has happened ?" the guard asked anxiously.
"He is drifting in and out of sleep, he does not answer my questions and when he does speak, nothing makes sense and he is so cold…….I have…….I have tried to warm him up but it is not working!"
Anacadur's mind raced through several possibilities and then realisation hit him, he silently chastised himself for not coming to the obvious conclusion earlier.
"Galadon is the Prince wet ?" he called out, trying to keep his voice calm and level, he knew he would not be helping matters if he too sounded panicked.
"Yes," the elfling answered worriedly, "part of his body is lying in icy water, he could not stand or move because of his leg, he has been cold for some time but now it is worse, I have rubbed his arms and chest but it has no effect."
"Peace Galadon, I understand but do not rub the Prince any further, do you feel cold also ?"
"A little but it is mostly in my feet."
"Is your tunic dry ?" the guard asked.
"Yes…………….mostly…..just a small few damp patches…..why ?" the elfling wondered.
"Galadon listen carefully, if the Prince's tunic is very wet, you will need to remove it and replace it with your own, do you understand me ?"
"Yes," the elfling complied and repositioned himself in order to carry out the instructions.
As he began to unfasten the Prince's tunic, Legolas' eyes fluttered open for a moment, Galadon could not see this but he did hear the faint groan of pain that escaped his friend's lips.
"Shush mellon-nîn, do not worry, I just need to get you dry, trust me," he soothed but the Prince had already drifted off once more.
"Galadon, you will have to keep as much of the Prince's body out of the water as you can, do not worry about his leg, it will mend in time, cold is the enemy now, do you understand ?" Ancadur instructed.
"Yes……yes I know what to do," the elfling nodded, "I will keep him as dry as I can."
It was an awkward struggle moving the limp limbs in total darkness but he finally removed the wet tunic and then pulled the equally soaked shirt beneath, over the Prince's head. Then he quickly divested himself and redressed his friend's cold body in the drier, warm clothes. As soon as he was finished, he heaved his friend's body high up out of the water and grasped him close to his chest, wrapping his arms around Legolas, he hoped that his own body could share some of its heat and help to warm the Prince. As Legolas' head rested heavily on Galadon's shoulder, he could feel the increasingly shallow breaths against his skin, it was not a good sign and he could not help the tears as they flowed once more from his reddened eyes.
"Ancadur ! Hurry ! Tell them to hurry !" he cried out.
Helpless to do anything but offer words of comfort, the palace guard prayed silently to the Valar to spare the life of Mirkwood's remaining Prince.
Meanwhile, Annadur tore through the passageways at a dangerous pace, he risked extinguishing the torch but he did not slow down and the damp rock had caused him to stumble numerous times but he did not allow himself to fall, as he approached the turn off to the south-east passage he began to call out as loud as he possibly could.
"Captain Sindadur ! They have been found ! Come quickly ! They have been found !" he shouted, over and over.
He did not have to journey far down the tunnel before he heard the sounds of numerous feet running towards him, each step taken in haste echoed off the stone walls. Soon the flames from a multitude of torches illuminated the tunnel ahead in a warm golden glow.
It didn't take long for him to recognise his fellow guard, Sídhgeredir and he quickly spotted Sindadur amongst the warriors. He was about to report to the Captain when he noticed the anxious face of his King amongst the party of elves.
"My Lord," Annadur bowed in apology, embarrassed at his near slip in protocol.
But the King's thoughts were occupied with more important matters to notice or to even care.
"You have found them ?" Thranduil asked for confirmation, keeping his voice as steady as he could.
"Aye my Lord," the young guard nodded excitedly, "both of them, almost at the very end of the eastern passageway. My brother Ancadur heard them."
"You and your brother have my thanks," the King allowed a small relieved smile to briefly appear, "Now tell me, did you seen them ? Are they well ? Did you speak with my son ?"
Annadur did he best to answer the barrage of questions as concisely as possible.
"They appear to be trapped down some sort of shaft my Lord, we could not see them, young Galadon has a head injury but is conscious, the Prince………."
"Yes ? Yes ?……..what is it ? Speak Annadur, tell me what has happened," the King instructed, while the nervousness crept back into his tone.
"He has broken a leg Highness but I did speak with him briefly before I left," the guard revealed.
Thranduil shot a worried glance in his Captain's direction, Sindadur immediately sprang into action and began to order his warriors.
"Luinorn, go now to the north and north-west passges, inform Captain Hinheal and Brethiliaur that the elflings have been found, notify him of their condition, tell Nestad, the healer to join us in the eastern passageway, Nestor may have need of his help, Brethiliaur can guide him. Ask Captain Hinheal if he would return with his party to the palace and notify Gwaithwen and Luinsil, preparations will need to be made and Galadon's parents must be notified," the Captain instructed.
Luinorn merely nodded silently in obedience, bowed quickly before his King, then rushed away to fulfill his duty.
"The rest of you will follow our King and I to the eastern passageway, Annadur lead the way," Sindadur gestured.
"Aye Sir, but your quivers, you should remove your quivers before we leave, they will only be in the way," the young guard advised.
His word was not questioned and each warrior began to remove their weapons, taking with them only items needed to carry out the rescue.
It was not long before it was Ancadur's turn to hear the sounds of approaching elves. He pulled himself out of the opening, this time without a thought for his torch and called out.
"Hurry ! You must Hurry !" he pleaded as he ran to meet them.
oooOoOoOoOooo
Legolas paused momentarily in the telling of his tale, it had been a long time since he had thought about the incident in the caves, in fact if he were being true to himself, he would admit that he had purposely not thought about it, almost blocking it from memory.
Initially he had been annoyed with himself and ashamed at how the newly awakened memories had affected him, suppressed fears had come rushing back and caught him unawares but as he sat here now in the privacy of his talan with his friend close by his side he actually began to feel those fears melt away. Some how recounting the event as an adult was releasing the terrors he had buried deep within him as an elfling and he felt the better of it, so much so that he could not help but smile.
Perhaps it would not be so difficult to visit the caves once more after all and besides he had made a bargain with the dwarf, he would not back out of it now, if he did, he knew he would never hear the end of it.
The dwarf in question had been hanging on every hushed word uttered by the Prince, this tale from his friend's past had ensnared his interest and although he knew the ultimate outcome, he was keen to learn how events had transpired and so this unexpected pause was not to his liking.
"Well ?" Gimli demanded.
"Well what ?" the elf replied innocently.
"Do not begin to play that game with me elf !" he warned, "I do not see how you elves claim to be masters of lore if that is they way you tell a tale ! ………abandoning it before its end ! What happened next ? How did the warriors manage to save your scrawny frozen hide ? And," he could not help himself, "what did your father say ?"
"So……..you wish to hear the rest ?" Legolas asked with feint surprise.
Gimli replied with a threatening glare.
"I shall take that as a yes Master Dwarf, now where were we………..ah yes…………….Ancadur."
oooOoOoOoOooo
The young guard smiled with relief upon seeing his brother, he was reassured by the presence of Sindadur and taken by surprise at the unexpected appearance of his King.
Bowing quickly, he grimly notified all present of the latest development.
Before any others could react, Nestor, the chief healer pushed past the various warriors.
"Where are they ? I need to see the Prince quickly….he must be removed from the water at once," he warned.
Ancadur eagerly lead the elves to the small opening in he tunnel wall.
Once there, the healer removed his outer robe and passed it to the nearest warrior, borrowing a torch, he wormed his way into the gap.
"Galadon !" he called to the elfling below, "It is I, Nestor, can you hear me ?"
"Yes, yes Nestor, thanks be to the Valar…..come quickly……. Legolas needs your help !" the youth cried, he knew the kind hearted healer very well, both he and Legolas had availed of his services many times already. He had gently tended to their countless bumps, scrapes and bruises over the years.
"Galadon, I wish to come down, is there enough room ?" the healer asked.
"Yes, perhaps enough for two more people but they way is treacherous Nestor, there is a sharp slippery decline that leads to this well and a drop of thirty feet or so to where we are," explained the elfling.
"Do not worry little warrior, all will be well, I am on my way."
With that he reversed out of the opening and stood up as much as the low ceiling would allow. He risked a glance at his King. Thranduil's concern was evident.
"We shall get them both out safely my Lord do not fret," he comforted.
Around him, various warriors began to remove lengths of rope from about their person, all the lengths were securely tied together, making a loop in one end which would fit around the healer's waist. A separate line was made for his healing supplies which would be lowered down after he arrived safely at the bottom of the well.
Before the warriors eased him down, he instructed one of them to return to the palace and make sure a bath of warm water, not hot, would be ready for each elfing on their return, then he borrowed Ancadur's tunic and tied it about his waist along with the deceptively sturdy rope.
In moments all was ready and the healer was slowly eased down the slope, Galadon had been right, the way was very dangerous but Nestor had complete confidence in the chain of elves that held on to him out in the passage way.
Soon Galadon was able to see the glow from the healer's torch and then he was able to made out his lithe form as he was steadily lowered into the shaft, all the while instructions were passed back and forth between him and the warriors, so they would know exactly where he was and if he were in any danger.
A small splash announced his arrival, as he landed in the frigid pool.
He called for his supplies to be sent down, while his eyes took in the sorry sight of the two elflings.
His expert eyes quickly catalogued the various injuries and condition of his latest patients. He untied the dry tunic and passed it to a very grateful Galadon, at the same time freeing the unconscious Prince from the elfling's clutches.
It seemed they had been found with little time to spare.
Meanwhile both Nestad and Brethiliaur had arrived, slightly breathless, at the end of the eastern passageway.
Sindadur couldn't help but notice the bleeding cut on his Lieutenant's forehead and the way he gingerly held his right arm.
The Lieutenant gave him a look that simply said, "Don't ask."
Apparently in their haste the seasoned warrior had slipped on the damp stone, banged his head and sprained his wrist. He refused to allow Nestad tend to it until the elflings had been seen too. He had received far worse injuries over the years, in truth his pride had suffered a greater blow than his body. He was well aware that word of his slip would reach the ears of the most distant border patrols before the new dawn but that was nothing compared to the lecture he would receive from his beloved wife on his return home.
Within seconds, Nestad found himself being lowered down into the damp shaft. Nodding a greeting to his fellow healer, he passed a warm blanket to Galadon, quickly checked his head wound and then untied the rope from about his waist. He secured it then about the elfling and called up to the warriors above to begin heaving on his command.
Galadon looked anxiously at his sleeping friend, the sight of the prince's closed eyes had scared him to the core and although he hated this place he was now reluctant to leave Legolas.
Sensing this, Nestad grasped the elfling's face gently in his hands.
"Fear not young Galadon, you have done well, you have kept the Prince alive but now we must see you both to safety, you must go now, do not worry, he is in good hands and we shall be right behind you," the healer softly assured.
And so with a simple nod, the youth allowed himself to be raised to safety.
Both healers then worked furiously on the Prince, temporary splints were positioned about his left leg, a blanket was placed length ways between his legs and then both were secured together at the hips, knees and ankles.
His entire body was then wrapped in several woollen blankets and tied about him.
When both were satisfied that it was safe to move him Nestor tied one of the lengths of rope under the Prince's arms, the other he tied about himself, Nestad then used some lengths of linen bandages to secure the two elves together. Then the painstakingly slow process of raising them both began.
Eventually both bodies were carefully dragged free of the opening and Nestor unbound himself from the Prince.
The ropes were cast down one last time and Nestad was hauled out of the well.
Thranduil was given clear access to his son, he knelt down before the still body of his son and fought to hold back the tears.
Not even the warm glow of the torches could hide the pale blue tint of his child's skin. He reached over and placed a loving kiss on the clammy forehead and gave silent thanks to the Valar.
"My Lord," Nestor interrupted, "we must get them back to the palace now."
Nodding silently in agreement, the King stepped aside and allowed his healers to care for his son and young friend.
Both elflings were placed on unfurled stretchers and carried as quickly as possible to their waiting baths.
oooOoOoOoOooo
Author's Note; Well I thought I could finish off this rescue in one chapter ! Guess I was wrong, but don't worry it won't take me as long to update this time as I've already started to work on part two ! Yeay ! Anyway many thanks as always to those of you who take the time to review, it's always enjoyable to read them ! And if I can persuade a few of you 'lurkers' out there to drop by & say 'Hi !' then please, please do ! It really does make the writing more fun ! I've decided to be a good little author (snigger) and follow rules (for the most part) about review responses, this new review reply thing is great ! So any members that review, I'll send a private reply, if that's ok. For non-members, I'll sneak in a few responses (shush...secret).
(1 yen 144 years)
Sylvie ; Hi hon ! Hope all is well with you ! A gazillion thanks as always for your kind words ! Hang in there ! Do me a favour & sign up ! Pleeeeeeeeeeease ! Or PM me an e-mail address, I'd hate not to eventually be able to reply to you.