Broken Soul 6

Thranduil hastily scratched his quill across a piece of parchment. Húrdir stood nearby, patiently waiting for the message to be finished. The quill stopped, and Thranduil held out the finished note. "Will this be enough?" he asked, looking to his advisor, already knowing the answer. The note, though short, read:

My Lord Elrond- need drives me to call for your aid. We have received some most distressing news from a patrol. I would request that you come with all haste to my stronghold. Should this note fall into the wrong hands, I have not risked disclosing many details. I have sent Thanneth to reside in Imladris for a time. She is not to leave until I retrieve her myself. I await your response. Yours, Elvenking Thranduil

Húrdir nodded. "It is enough. Shall I give it to Thanneth?"

Thranduil shook his head. "Galion may carry it. Thanneth, for all her strengths, would read it and not remain where I wish her to. If what we fear is coming really does come, I cannot have her here. With Legolas unfit for travel, the princess must be protected."

Húrdir nodded his understanding. "Will you see her off?"

"No. Enough has been said on my part for this day. I trust Elrond to speak with her after his return to Imladris." Thranduil waved Húrdir away. "Go. Find Galion and whoever else you see fit to send with Thanneth. They must be on the road now."

Húrdir bowed and left, obeying the king's command. He would send Galion and Tauriel. Tauriel was as loyal to Thranduil and Thanneth as any elf, and a skilled warrior at that. She would do well on this journey, and if anything, would teach Galion a thing or two about loyalty to the throne.

Bags packed and on her back, Thanneth stopped by the healing hall to say goodbye to Legolas. She knew she would be returning soon but was anxious for his health. The head healer met the princess at the door.

"My lady, the prince is resting. I would have you come at another time."

Thanneth set her jaw. "I must see my brother. I will be brief." Shouldering past the elf, she made her way to Legolas's bed. Taking his hand, she spoke quietly. She knew it was likely he couldn't hear her, but she needed to speak with him.

"I must ride to Imladris. Ada says Lord Elrond could heal you." A tear slipped from her eye. She swiped it away as quickly as it appeared. "I'll return to you soon, my little brother. Just hold on. I love you 'Las." Standing, she left swiftly, nodding at the healer on her way out.

Thanneth's company left with little fanfare. The three elves had left the Elvenking's stronghold riding hard. They planned to reach Imladris in seven days' time. Thanneth knew it would be a long week. But seeing Legolas, weak and hurt, spurred her onward. They did not speak as they rode through the trees. Each elf was in their own thoughts, unaware of the true purposes of their journey.

Thranduil watched from an upper balcony as the three riders left. He felt comforted by the company traveling with his daughter. Tauriel, the young but fearless warrior, had been trained with Legolas and was friendly with Thanneth. Galion was much the same. He was well trained with a blade, and sharp of mind, though he was known to be stubborn in his ways, and much too idealistic for Thranduil's taste. Shaking his head, the king turned away, his feet carrying him to the great doors of the healing wing. Softly pushing the door open, he ignored the elves bustling around and made his way to Legolas's bedside, settling in a vacant chair.

Legolas stirred from his sleep turning his head slowly, to see his father seated, eyes closed, and hands folded in his lap. Thranduil opened his eyes. "Good afternoon, son." He spoke quietly, then turned to call for a healer. Turning back to Legolas, he leaned back into his chair. "You have slept much, though I suspect you will sleep much more before you are well again."

The prince nodded, wincing as he did so. "Yes. I am so tired. Where is Thanneth? I thought she was here."

"She was, but she has gone. It may be some time before we see her again." Thranduil's eyes dropped to the floor. "Tell me, what do you remember of the patrol you were on?"

Legolas's eyebrows knit together as he thought hard. "My head hurts so much, Ada. I… I think I can remember.. There was so much blood. And I was so tired… I.. I am sorry." His eyes fluttered closed for a moment, then he opened them again. "I think someone died." He stopped speaking, but he continued to think about what his father had asked him.

A healer appeared at the king's shoulder, hesitating before speaking. "My king, a word in private, if you will?"

Another healer hurried over and began checking the bandages on one of Legolas's legs. Thranduil stood, closing his eyes again as his son hissed in pain. He followed the healer to a chamber off the main hall.

"Speak," came the command. The healer, standing nearly a full head shorter than Thranduil trembled before setting his shoulders.

"The prince has a serious head injury. Do you not think you could give him at least a week's recovery before you speak of these traumatic events?"

"We may not have a week to wait. This was what you meant to speak to me about?" The king was affronted.

"N-No my king. I wished to update you on your son's condition-"

Thranduil interrupted him. "Then update me. Do not question me on my dealings with my son!"

"Apologies, my king. I meant no insult," squeaked the healer.

The elvenking's frame loomed over the frightened elf. "Intended or not, insult was found. Though this pettiness wastes my time. Speak to me of my son. And speak quickly."

Nodding the healer took a small step back, breathing in before launching into a report on Legolas's health.

"His fever is still high, though we suspected it would be. We have reset his broken leg, and the bleeding on his arrow wounds has slowed and nearly stopped. We worry about infection, but so far it is only found in his right leg- the one that was bitten. There are no signs of infection in his arrow wounds." The healer paused for breath, continuing. "The poison is posing a problem to us. We continue to search for an antidote, but none has yet been found. We may need to let this poison run its course. But the risk of damage to the prince's brain rises with his fever."

Letting out a breath he realized he had been holding, Thranduil nodded. "Is this all?"

The smaller elf nodded in return. "Prince Legolas is well enough off for now, though only time may tell how far-reaching the damage will be."

Thranduil bobbed his head once more, then returned to his son's bedside. But his window of time had passed- the prince was already sleeping once more.

A/N: Here's chapter 6! I'm getting excited because time is going to move faster hopefully. And also, because I am done with school for the summer and have lots more time to write (as long as I don't get too tired from working so much…) I'd love to hear what you guys think, and I want you to know that I really enjoy reading your reviews and appreciate the follows, even though I haven't been good at individually thanking you. So, consider this a thank you and I will try to be better! Thanks loves!