Chapter Five
Their return to Imladris caused an uproar. Legolas carried her through the halls to her chamber, calling loudly for Arwen and Lord Elrond. Athelas had drifted in and out of consciousness all the way back. His anger had turned to worry and then back again. They came hurrying, Elrond trying to take Athelas himself. Legolas resisted him, insisting on carrying her. He cradled her in his arms and laid her gently on her bed. Elrond gathered his medicines and began the painful business of assessing her injuries. She cried out once when he felt the bump on the back of her head. Legolas, standing out of the way in the corner of the room, felt it go through him like a knife. He had caused her this pain, he had not taken her feelings into account. This was his fault, and he would not forgive himself. Athelas was not the kind of person to suddenly lose control. He must have upset her deeply, enough to cause her to run from him. Why hadn't he listened? His fear of frightening her even more had made him silent on the way home, but he wanted to talk to her, ask her forgiveness just once.
When Elrond had tended her lesser wounds and felt that she was sufficiently drugged from the tea he had given her, he was ready to set the broken bones in her foot. Feeling a sublime drowsiness take her, Athelas reached out her hand. She saw the blond elf standing in the shadows, and whispered, "Legolas". Her mouth was dry, and the sound was muffled. Elrond heard her and bent down.
"What do you need, my child?" he asked her, feeling the pulse in her wrist.
Still feeling dazed, she wet her lips and tried again. She looked at Legolas, and said loudly to Elrond, "My lord?"
Legolas couldn't stand it. She wouldn't even call him by name! Not realizing she was trying to answer Elrond's question, he left the room, tears blurring his eyes. He did not hear her call him again. Estel was waiting in the corridor and put an arm around his friend's shoulder.
"What happened?" he asked. There had been garbled versions of their return running through Imladris like wildfire. "Were there orcs?"
"Aragorn," Legolas said, "I want to get very drunk, very fast."
Some time later, Athelas woke in a languorous way, stretching until she felt her body protest. She was still groggy, and took a moment to focus her eyes. Arwen was beside her instantly.
"Here," she told her, holding a cup to her lips, "try this." The water was very cold and very good. Athelas took small sips.
"Thank you," she said, through cracked lips, "that is much better."
"How do you feel?" Arwen asked her. "You look like you have been through a battle."
"I feel like I have been in one. What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Arwen asked, frowning.
Athelas furrowed her brow, trying to think. Then she shook her head, wincing at the pain.
"No. What did he say?" Arwen noticed the change in address. Arwen had never referred to Legolas as anything other than "my lord Legolas" or "my lord prince". A horrific thought ran through Arwen's mind and she tried to banish it.
"I should call for Father. He wanted to know as soon as you woke up." Arwen told her.
Athelas grabbed her friend's hand. "Where is he?" she asked, her eyes wide. Arwen pretended to misunderstand.
"Father's in his study. You really worried him, you know. I'll go get him." Arwen pulled her hand and ran for Elrond. She wanted reassurance, but didn't know how to get it. Elrond would.
Athelas felt the pain throbbing in her foot and her head. She tried again to remember what had happened to her. They had been having such a wonderful day. She had played in the trees like a child. Then something had frightened her. Something had made her run. What was it? Was he injured as well?
Elrond came hurrying in the room, and looked into her eyes. She looked back, confused. Elrond smoothed back her smokey hair, and then placed a kiss on her forehead.
"You frightened me, child. How are you feeling now?" he asked kindly. Athelas felt a rush of love him. He had always taken such good care of her.
"Very sore and tired, my lord." She tried to raise her head, but the pain stopped her. "I am sorry to be so much trouble."
He patted her hand, felt her pulse. "No trouble at all. I am grateful you weren't more seriously injured. Do you remember anything?"
"No." She paused for a moment. "I was frightened. I ran."
Elrond looked at her curiously, then smiled at her. "Now, I'll want you to drink this, and then get some more sleep. You have a lot of healing to do. You have a concussion and three broken bones in your foot, as well as various cuts and bruises."
She drank his concoction, without protest at it's bitter taste. She felt the deep sleepiness overtake her once more. Elrond sat beside her, holding her hand. There was something she had to ask him, she tried to think of it. Legolas' face danced before her in the dim light, and once again she saw the anger in his eyes.
"So angry" she murmured
"Who, child?" he asked her, fear in his eyes..
"I told him no" she said, her speech slightly slurred.
"Not now, dear one. Sleep." She felt herself start to drift off as he began to hum quietly. It was a song he had sung to she and Arwen when they were children. As the song took her into sleep she whispered, "Don't blame him. Please, don't blame him. I shouldn't have...made him angry..." Her voice trailed off as the healing sleep claimed her.
Once she fell back asleep, he motioned Arwen into the room. "Stay with her." he told his daughter. "Call for me if she wakes again." Elrond swept from the room, his eyes afire.
He found Legolas curled up on Aragorn's bed. The ranger was sitting by the fire, his face drawn, his eyes pained. "How is she?" he asked, standing up.
Elrond moved beside him, ignoring the limp form on the bed. "What did he say?"
Aragorn grimaced. "To tell you the truth, he wasn't very coherent.. I've never seen any elf drink like that. It was as if he wanted to be oblivious to everything as quickly as possible. By the time he started talking, the wine had obviously gone to his head. It was hard to make out. I have never seen him like that. Most of what he said was broken. He did say that it was his fault, that she would never forgive him." Aragorn stopped, seeing the stricken look on Elrond's face. "You can't think..."
"I don't know what to think. She is badly injured, and doesn't remember anything yet. But she insisted that I not blame him. She said she had made him angry, just as she fell asleep. I don't like it, Estel."
Aragorn motioned to Legolas' sleeping form. "You won't get anything out of him tonight. I don't know what happened, but I know he wouldn't, he couldn't, do anything like that. Legolas and Athelas have always held each other in the highest esteem. He would never hurt her." His voice was low, his eyes intense.
"I want to see him as soon as he's able. I place him in your charge, Estel. He is not to leave Imladris until I am sure that Athelas will be alright. You do understand me?"
"Of course." As Elrond turned to leave, Aragorn caught his arm. "How is Arwen? Athelas is like a sister to her, and if her thoughts have turned the same way as yours..."
"Arwen is with her. Rest is the best cure right now. I hope we can piece this together when they are both sensible." His lip curled as he regarded the drunken elf.
When Athelas woke later that morning, Arwen slipped out of the room to see Aragorn. Her mind was troubled, and she wanted comfort. She found him sitting by his friend, a grave look in his eyes. She went to him and he stood and enveloped her in his arms.
"It will be alright, my love." he told her. She buried her face in the soft velvet of his shoulder.
"What can have happened? Has he said anything to explain it?"
"Nothing sensible. It is obvious that he blames himself for whatever occurred. Has she remembered?"
"Not yet. Father says the head wound is to blame. He fears she may never remember exactly what happened."
"Perhaps that is for the best." He held her close. "Patience, my love. Time will remedy whatever has happened between them."
"Then you don't think..." she couldn't say it.
"No. I don't. That they quarreled, yes. But not that either would intentionally hurt the other." He kissed her once, and then sent her back to Athelas.
When Legolas woke, he found Aragorn looking at him with sadness. He groaned, and tried to sit up.
"I'm afraid you are in for a bad day, my friend." Aragorn said, shaking his head in sympathy.
"Is she, has she said anything? Has she asked for me?" Legolas asked, blinking hard against the bright sunshine.
"She is resting easily. Arwen is with her. As far as I know, she has not asked for anyone." He saw Legolas' face shift from fear to pain and then to concern.
"My lord Elrond has requested a few moments of your time, when you are feeling able." He looked at Legolas with a sudden grin. "I would recommend that you make yourself presentable first. Braid your hair, wash your face. You look terrible."
Legolas performed his ablutions quickly, and a very short time later he was standing before Elrond. Something in Elrond's manner alerted him that this was not an ordinary interview.
Elrond was perplexed. He knew the young prince of Mirkwood well. Understood his reserve. Athelas was much the same way. In addition, he truly liked the young elf. He remembered passing by Athelas' chambers and hearing peals of laughter when they were together. That they were well suited for each other, no one doubted. He also had no inclination to pry into the secrets of another's heart. But Athelas was as one of his own children. Whatever had happened to her had changed her attitude towards Legolas, and he had to know if her spirit had been as wounded as her body.
"How is the Lady Athelas" Legolas asked, formally.
"The Lady Athelas is recovering. Her thoughts are not yet coherent, though. She has asked me not to blame you. Tell me, my young prince, what is it I am not to blame you for?"
Legolas started. He looked at Elrond with bewilderment. "I don't understand." he said simply.
"Neither do I. As I have said, she has not recovered enough to be detailed. But she has told me that she refused you. That made you angry. I am sure you understand my position. Athelas has lived in my household for many years. She and Arwen are as sisters. My concern for her runs deep. And," he paused, "if she has been hurt by anyone..."
"Has she said that I," he took a deep breath, "harmed her?" His mind was in turmoil.
Elrond stared at him until Legolas lowered his eyes. "She has made no accusations. It is I who ask. Did you harm her?" It pained him more than Legolas could know to have to ask the question.
Legolas raised his eyes and stared at him. He was stunned. What Elrond was accusing him of was unthinkable. His pride came to his defense. "My lord, what passed between us is private. I am sure you understand that. I have a right to protect the privacy of both Athelas and myself." He chose his words carefully, deliberately. "I did not intentionally harm her."
Elrond raised his eyebrow. "Not intentionally? What exactly does that encompass?"
Legolas stood before him, tall and proud. His face became a mask of calm, while his brain seethed. "I take full responsibility for her injuries. Had it not been for my behaviour, she would still be whole and sound. But I will not discuss what transpired between us."
"That is no answer, Legolas."
"It is all the answer I am prepared to give at this time. May I go now?"
Elrond was angry. His eyes flashed as he began to stalk up and down the room. "She told me that she told you no. She told me that you became angry. And that I am not to blame you. If there is an explanation other than what I am beginning to believe, I suggest you tell me now."
Legolas stood silent. Elrond felt a cold fear in the pit of his stomach. He did not want to credit the dark thoughts he was having. He needed time to think, time for Athelas to heal, to tell her story. In the meantime...
"You will return to your rooms. You will stay here, in Imladris, until this is settled. You will have no contact with the Lady Athelas until her mind has cleared, and I am certain that she has told me what happened without being contaminated by anything you might tell her." He paused. "I am sorry that this has come to pass. I urge you to rethink your position. I do not wish to accuse you, but I must have the truth. Now, you may go."
Without a word, Legolas turned and left the room.