At the Halls of Healing

"Wolves!" Deawin shouted over the howl of the wind and wolves as he shielded his face from the snow. "They sound close."

"Let's go and see." Glorfindel shouted back as he drew his sword. Soon enough they stumbled upon the wolves. Through the snow they could vaguely see that they circled around a tree.

"Something must be there!"

"Let's hope in a moment only the bodies of the wolves." Glorfindel shouted as he opened the attack on the wolves. The first two wolves fell quickly without struggle as they managed to surprise them. Four wolves turned and started to approach the ellyn that were about to steal their little snack. It was not easy to fend them off, but eventually they managed to slay the four wolves. Deawin cursed under his breath when he was knocked onto the ground. With a howl the wolf collapsed half over him.

"Behind you!" Deawin shouted when another wolf approached the Balrog slayer. Glorfindel turned around just in time to defend himself from an attack. Deawin managed to crawl from underneath the wolf and cursed again when pain shot up through his right leg. When he looked down he saw his garment in ruins and slowly staining crimson.

"Good!" Deawin shouted as Glorfindel killed the wolf and the last wolves started to attack. Deawin ignored the pain flaming in his leg and the snow whirling around as he threw himself onto the first wolf with his war cry.

"Deawin?" Glorfindel asked when he noticed there came no other wolf.

"Over here." Deawin called a few feet away.

"Are you well?" Glorfindel asked when he saw him leaning onto his sword.

"Just a few scratches." Deawin shrugged. "I think we should return and ask another patrol to continue the search when it has..." Glorfindel held up his hand to indicate Deawin he should stop talking. He could barely hear other voice above the howling of the wind.

"I hear voices, listen." He said and tried to determine where the sound came from and slowly approached the tree the wolves had been circling around only moments before.

"Elladan? Elrohir? Legolas?" Glorfindel shouted when he saw a big mass in one of the branches.

"Glorfy!" He could just make out his 'name'. When he walked closed he could easily make out three small figures.

"Deawin, come quickly."

"We found them!" Deawin shouted as he limped closer and recognized the small figures. Glorfindel could easily reach them and got them from the branch one by one.

"Glorfy, go home?" One of the twins asked.

"Aye, we go home now. Are you all well?" He asked the shaking figures. They did not really reply, probably not knowing what was going on. "Do you think you can walk back?"

"Aye." Came the soft replies.

"Deawin, would you lead the way? I am not that familiar with these woods."

"I will, but I won't be able to hurry." Deawin replied as they slowly started to make their way back to the palace.

"Do not worry, the elflings would not be able to keep up anyway." Glorfindel said and made sure no one would fall behind.

.

"Hérion?" Cervus softly asked as he stood next to the awakening captain. Hérion groaned before he fully awakened.

"Cervus?" Hérion asked when he recognised the healer. "Where am I?"

"Aye, you are in the Halls of Healing. How are you feeling, Hest?"

"A headache, and my nose hurts." Hérion raised his hand and carefully felt his nose, finding it swollen.

"I will give you something for the headache. Your nose will be fine in a couple of days." Cervus went around the small room and prepared a goblet. "What do you remember last?"

"I remember being hauled from the armoury by Tegalad. I was brought to a room, I thought it was the king's study, together with most of the councillors. Radagast the Brown was there and started chanting. I think that is all I remember."

"Don't you remember how your nose got broken?"

"Nay." Hérion said after a moment. "Can you fill me in?"

"I fear that Radagast broke it when he drove away a spirit that inhabited you." Cervus frowned. That sounded at least the most logical to what happened.

"A spirit?" Hérion frowned as he slowly sat up and accepted the goblet.

"It was at least what Radagast claimed. Feren agreed that sometimes you seemed different as well as that he noticed your eyes had darkened in colour.

"Sometimes time seemed to pass while I had no notice of it. Could that have been when the spirit took over?" Hérion mused. He had known something had been going on, Yet he had never guessed it would have been that serious.

"That could be." Cervus nodded. "You will have to stay in the Halls of Healing until further notice of hîr Elrond and me. I shall go and speak with hîr Elrond, as soon as he is able."

"I have just a swollen nose, Cervus." Hérion pointed out. He really did not want to stay in here, especially not 'until further notice'.

"Not only a swollen nose, it is broken. Besides, I need to see if you are all right. And for now your pain is dulled by the herbal tea." Cervus took the goblet back once Hérion had finished it. "You may have company if you wish, but I do not want to see you from your bed."

"You doubt Radagast?"

"Nay, I do not. I believe him if he tells me the spirit is gone. Still I need to speak first with hîr Elrond before doing anything else. Do you remember caun Legolas and hîr Elrond's sons, Elladan and Elrohir have gone missing a couple of days ago, and that there is a snowstorm raging outside?"

"They have not been found yet?"

"I fear not. I have to go and see to aran Thranduil real soon. I want you to go and take a nap now. The herbs should kick in a few moments.

"There were not only healing herbs in there, were there?" Hérion groaned.

"You should have know. I knew you would not want to stay in bed if I told you." Cervus said as he helped Hérion lower himself back on the bed.

"That is not fair." Hérion protested.

"It is not fair for me if every warrior or guard that got injured runs out of here because they think they can, but are not healed yet. Then they come back so I need to redo all the work." Cervus told him softly but firmly.

"That is not really useful, is it?" Hérion frowned.

"Like needing to kill the same animal three times because you thought it was dead but keeps getting up." Cervus told him. "Now go and nap. When you awaken next I expect you to eat and drink something."

"Hannon-le, Cervus."

"Do not bother. That is my job." Cervus gave him a little smile before he left him to nap.

.

The snowstorm was no near stopping when the two warriors and the three elflings reached the Mirkwood stronghold.

"Let us go to the Halls of Healing." Glorfindel said when they were finally inside, out of the snow and cold. When they arrived at the Halls of Healing they found it completely silent.

"Let's get you all out of these wet garments." Deawin said when they arrived, and it appeared no one was near.

"The only thing you are going to do is undress yourself and settle on one of the beds." Glorfindel said sternly. He had seen the crimson stain on Deawin's thigh steadily grow over the last hour or so. He was nowhere near a healer, but he possessed all the basic skills of a healer, and he had often assisted Elrond when he needed an extra hand. "I will go and fetch a healer in a moment." Glorfindel said before Deawin could protest.

"As you wish." Deawin huffed, even if he was glad to sit down. He slowly undid himself from his wet clothing and armour.

"Well, let me help you." Glorfindel gently said and sat the twins on one of the crisp white beds and turned his attention to Legolas. "Are you cold, penneth?"

"A-aye." Legolas shivered. Glorfindel smiled warmly at him before he undressed Legolas. Legolas' skin was pale while his cheeks, ears and nose slowly turned bright red. His lips had a blue hue as the snow in his hair slowly melted. He had found one of the spare nightgowns in one of the cabinets and dressed Legolas in them. The nightgown was way too big for his small frame, but it was dry and warm, so it would do for now.

"Now the next one." Glorfindel said as he put Legolas next to Elladan and put Elrohir on his feet. "Are you hurt?" He asked when he noticed that Elrohir had trouble staying on his feet.

"M-my legs f-feel w-w-wobbly." Elrohir managed to get out.

"Just a moment, then you will be in dry clothes." Glorfindel made quick work of undressing the younger twin and dressed him in a grown-up sized nightgown. "Last but not least." Glorfindel sat Elrohir next to Legolas before he turned his attention to the elder twin. Elladan was also shaking badly.

"My fingers and toes hurt." Elladan managed to tell Glorfindel when he had removed his boots. Elladan's hands and feet indeed looked a bit red and swollen. It was obvious because of the cold that now he started to warm up, warm blood had rushed through his hands and feet. "I know penneth. It will go away soon." Glorfindel soothed and handed him a wet cloth in the hope it would sooth the pain a bit. That was really stupid of me, Glorfindel thought. He should have waited with them besides the door to let them slowly warm up, not thinking about that the temperature of the Halls of Healing would be obviously higher. He handed the other two also a wet cloth for their hands and feet also started hurting.

"Hîr Elrond and Cervus probably would be with Aran Thranduil." Deawin said when he noticed Glorfindel was done.

"I will be back in a moment." Glorfindel said and hurried off to the royal quarters. He knocked over Legolas' nanny when he quickly turned a corner. "Oh, forgive me!" Glorfindel cried as he helped Anameleth to his feet again.

"Have no worries, why the hurry?" Anameleth asked as she brushed the wrinkles out of her dress.

"I need to find Elrond quickly."

"Is there someone hurt?"

"Aye, besides I think he would like to see his sons again." Glorfindel called over his shoulder as he quickly continued his way. He could hear a gasp from Anameleth before the turned into another hallway. Without knocking Glorfindel stormed into the king's bedroom, just in time managing to hold onto the door so it would not bang into the wall. Both Cervus, Elrond and Feren jumped on their feet.

"By the Valar! Glorfindel!" Elrond exclaimed.

"What is going on?" Cervus asked confused at the warrior.

"Hmm?" Thranduil gave a violent jerk before hummed as he slowly opened his eyes. Glorfindel paled as he saw the bad condition Thranduil was in.

"Elrond, saes come with me. Deawin got wounded when we encountered some wolves." Before Elrond could reply, Glorfindel grabbed his sleeve and started literally drag him back to the Halls of Healing. When they were almost there Glorfindel slowed his pace and let go of Elrond's sleeve.

"Glorfindel?"

"That Deawin is hurt is not all, we found all three elflings huddled up in a branch of a small tree." Glorfindel softly said before he opened the door and stepped in.

"Wha-"

"Ada!" The twins shouted when the raven-haired lord walked through the door. Elrond let out a big sigh. A huge weight instandly lifted from his shoulders.

"You cannot imagine how happy I am to see you." Elrond said with a big, bright smile. He kissed each of the elfling's brow. "Glorfindel?"

"Aye?"

"Could you fetch the burn salve?"

"Give me a moment." Glorfindel said as he went to search for the requested salve.

"Now Deawin, what ails you?" Elrond asked as he turned his attention to the obviously hurt captain.

"One of the wolves we fought managed to make a gash in my leg." Deawin explained as he removed the cloth he pressed against the wound. Elrond quickly gathered a bowl with hand warm water and started to clean the wound.

"I am afraid that I need to stitch it." Elrond said as he started to gather the supplies he needed. It was not a real big wound but big enough that it would require a couple of stitches. Elrond made quick work of the stitches and with an herbal compress, he bound his leg. Deawin let out an occasional grunt, but other than that, he did not show any discomfort. "Try not to go and stand or walk too much the upcoming days lest you want to rip your stitches. Cervus or I will remove them in a couple of days." Elrond explained to the Mirkwood captain.

"I will keep calm until my stitches are removed." Deawin copied.

"Hannon-le." Elrond said and just in time Glorfindel returned with a small ceramic container.

"Would this be the salve you seek?" He asked as he handed over the container when Elrond had properly washed his hands.

"Aye, hannon-le." Elrond said after a quick sniff after he looked at the weathered label.

"Let's get you some nice salve." Elrond said to the elflings who's shivering now lessened. Glorfindel copied the actions of Elrond as he started to apply the burn salve on his sons' hands and faces. "All done. I want you to stay put and not touching anything, for the salve will leave ugly stains in any fabric. I shall go and see if they have a nice glass of milk and something to eat for you." Elrond washed his hands again.

-A/N Hi there, dear readers! As you might guess the story is almost over. One original chapter left :( But, I am thinking about a sequel. Does tha have any appeal to you? What about a Legolas-slave fic? With lots of H/C between our beloved elf and Ranger? Let me know if you like it! Thank you for your awsome reviews in advance!-

Dictionary:

Ellyn - He-elves

Penneth - Little one

Ada/Adar - Father

Hannon-le - Thank you

Hîr - Lord

Hest - Captain

Saes - Please

Aran - King