A/N…you guys spoil me with reviews! I cherish each and every one of them!
Disclaimer: not mine.
Chapter Eight: Home Sweet Home
Quickly lowering his hand again, he gently held it so that the palm was covering Legolas nose and mouth.
Every second heightened Aragorn's fear and he truly feared that Legolas had stopped breathing. Feeling no breath touching his skin, he fearfully lowered his hand back to Legolas chest. He has a pulse, Aragorn realized with relief. Spreading his hand wide across Legolas chest, the human closed his eyes calming his body and waiting for Legolas chest to rise. Ever so slightly, his hand rose before easing back down. The prince of Mirkwood still breathed if, only barely.
"You must live!" Aragorn vowed. Kicking the sides of the horse, the man urged his faithful stallion just a little faster. The pounding hoofs ate away at the remaining distance and, before long, they were hurtling through the tall gates of Imladris just as the new day was rose.
Looking frantically around, Aragorn clutched Legolas close to his chest. He needed someone to help him with Legolas. Filling his lungs with air, the ranger was just getting ready to shout when he caught sight of a servant. The elf was rushing forward, recognizing the two and knowing what trouble they were probably in.
"Mán car-im?" /what can I do?/
"Help me with Legolas, than go get my father!" Aragorn commanded, swinging gracefully down after the servant had pulled Legolas off. Reaccepting his burden, Aragorn watched as the elf dashed off. Shifting Legolas weight, he followed, more slowly though. He could not risk dropping the wounded elf.
Backing into the room that the elf had claimed long ago Aragorn gently laid Legolas onto the bed. Seeing how still and dreadfully pale Legolas was filled the ranger with terror, and he rushed over to the water pitcher. Dunking a clean cloth into the water, Aragorn was swiftly back at Legolas side.
Running the cloth hurriedly over Legolas chest and face, he rewet the cloth, this time not squeezing it all the way out. Bringing it over Legolas face again, he gently squeezed the excess water onto Legolas dry and cracked lips, switching between that and trying to keep the prince's raging fever under control.
The door slammed open behind him, causing Aragorn to jump. His father quickly walked through the door, stopping at Legolas head. The lord's faced paled as he took in Legolas ashen complexion and the elven healer laid his hand against the prince's burning skin. Snapping into action immediately, Elrond realized the great danger the young elf was in.
"Estel, go fill a tub with lukewarm water,!" he ordered, his hands flying over the prince's body as he worked. Jumping to his feet Aragorn carried out his father's instructions as fast as he could.
Meanwhile, the half elf continued his son's work. Dropping a few more beads of moisture into the ill elf's lips, he was able to repeat the action several more time before his youngest son finally retuned announcing that the bath was ready.
"What's going on…? Elladan's confused and sleepy voice sounded form the doorway. Aragorn and Elrond glanced up, Aragorn moving back a step so that Legolas was relieved.
"I'll go get Elrohir," the elder twin instantly said, his face paling with worry. He knew just from catching a glimpse of the prince that Legolas was deathly ill.
Not bothering to knock at his twin's door, he just burst through.
"Come quickly!" he demanded, throwing the disheveled blankets off his brother.
"What's wrong," Elrohir croaked, still half asleep before rolling over and clutching his pillow close to his face.
"Aragorn's returned…with Legolas in tow. It looks bad Elrohir," Elladan quickly told, tossing some clothes at his brother. Turning to leave, he gave his twin a reassuring smile. Dashing down the hallway, Elladan found that he could not forget Legolas face, the way he looked, the look of the ones sure to pass on to Mandos hall's.
Reentering the room, he was greatly surprised to find it empty. He was actually wondering if he had dreamed the whole thing up when he heard his father's voice echoing in from the bathing chamber.
"There, that's it. Don't let his head down any farther." Crossing into the room, he found all three in the small chamber. Elrond knelt next to the tub holding Legolas body gently under the water while, Aragorn supporting the blond elf's head above water.
"Elladan, come here, there is ice in that picture." his father commanded upon seeing him in the doorway. They had been unable to put the elf into a freezing cold bath because Legolas's body would have likely gone into shock. The lukewarm water was probably freezing to the touch on Legolas burring body as it was.
Now that Legolas body was more accustomed to it however, they would gradually decrease the temperature of the water. Picking up the picture of ice cold water, Elladan began to slowly pour it in.
Elrohir, rushed into the room, his eyes going wide at the sight of Legolas in tub.
"Take my place." Elrond commanded the younger twin. Kneeling down deftly next to him, Elrohir placed his hands on the elf's limp body holding him in place. Elrond, staying where he was at, began to gently splash the water over Legolas neck and face. Motioning to Elladan, the elf lord asked for a cup of water. Turning to his sons he explained,
"Legolas is dehydrated; we must get him to sweat if he is to live." taking the cup that Elladan offered him, Elrond gently placed it against Legolas lips forcing the water into him.
They continued their ministrations for what must have been the better part of an hour, before Elrond declared,
"His fever has lowered slightly and he is beginning to sweat." the relief in the small bathing chamber was palpable.
"Are we going to move him back to his bed?" Aragorn asked, still holding Legolas's head in-between his hands and was therefore able to feel the strong heat that gripped his friend relentlessly.
Elrond nodded, pushing his hands underneath Legolas body and gently carrying him into the bedroom. The robe he wore was soaked, but he couldn't care less. Elrohir hurried on ahead and carelessly pushed aside the blankets and sheets that covered the bed so that Elrond could lay the limp elf down.
Aragorn immediately took this usually seat on the bed, smoothing back Legolas wet blonde hair. Elrond glanced at his twins sons, before calling them to his side.
"We'll need more supplies." he said softly, the twins turned as one and left the room. Aragorn looked up at his father's words, still slowly stroking Legolas hair, watched his father work.
Carefully unwinding the bandages, Elrond got his first look at the infected wound. Muttering words that Aragorn could not hear, the elf carefully examined the injury. The wound was red and puffed up, hot to the touch.
"details…" Elrond asked his youngest not needed to expound.
"I think that it was an arrow wound,"
"Think…" Elrond said surprised turning to face his youngest.
"I was unconscious when he received it. Legolas let it bleed for a while without tending too it. He lost a large amount of blood and I had not the proper supplies to be able to close it correctly. It was easy for infection to set in." Aragorn explained.
"Are you well?" Elrond asked with concern. Aragorn nodded, the bruises he had were not serious. Elrond wasn't quite as sure, but would care for his son later, Legolas needed his attention right now. As they spoke, Elladan and Elrohir returned, arms full of necessary supplies.
"Do you wish for me to boil the leaves?" Elrohir asked, as his brother handed over several bandages. Elrond nodded his whole attention once again focused on the elf in front of him.
Taking a clean knife from the collection his sons had brought, he waited tensely for the paste of leaves to be ready.
"What are his vital signs…" he softly asked. Aragorn reached down, picking up Legolas limp arm and taking his pulse.
"Weak, erratic slow." the human reported. Elrond frowned, not wishing to perform surgery but knowing that it was the only way the save the young elf's life. Even if his fever had lowered some, Legolas was still in danger of leaving them.
When the paste was ready, Elrond gently began to run the blade along Legolas pale skin, parallel to Aragorn's earlier cut. Aragorn avoided looking at the deep crimson blood which was flowing again. He was not in any way squeamish, but he had seen so much of Legolas blood lately that he did not think he could take to look at much more of it.
Instead he focused on the elf's face. Legolas was still had that ashen completion that was terrifying everyone, but it seemed to have lessened slightly. Aragorn prayed to the Valar that it was so. Placing his hand against Legolas face, he found Elrond's earlier words to be true: Legolas fever had indeed lowered slightly.
"Paste." his father commanded, startling Aragorn and causing him to look up. Elladan, wearing a disgusted sort of face, was carrying a bowl full of blood and infection into the bathing chamber. The elven lord was currently spreading the past of leaves over the wound. A bloody knife glinted in the light of the fire.
Finally, the Lord of Rivendell wrapped the wounds with pure white bandages. Straightening, the elf lord whipped his hands on a towel, staining the cloth a queer mixture of colors, red from blood, but green from the paste.
"Vital signs," he once again asked Aragorn. The human complied,
"His pulse is weaker, but is speeding now." the ranger scared voice whispered. The loss of more blood had obviously been hard on his friend. Elrond sighed worriedly, quickly walking over to the table of herbs.
"Change him into something else." he called over his shoulder. Aragorn slowly got up form where he was sitting but Elladan motioned him back down.
"Elrohir and I can do it." Aragorn nodded thankfully, sinking back down. Legolas had lost both his outer tunic and shirt long ago, so it did not take the twins long to get the elf out of his blood stained leggings. Dressing him in a light shirt and breeches, they were just about to lower him back to the bed when Elrond walked over.
"Give him this." he said, passing the goblet over to Elrohir.
"Sure, what I'm I your slave!" the younger twin joked, hoping to lighten the mood. He and Aragorn feed Legolas the tea, both praying it would help.
"No, you're his son. But while you're volunteering, you can be mine." Elladan said, playfully punching his brother.
As the twin's began to squabble back and forth Aragorn lightly drew a thin sheet over Legolas body. It would not raise Legolas temperature unlike a thick blanket. Picking up the abandoned cloth form the floor, the human gently patted Legolas's hot skin. The man frowned slightly, he found himself doing this far too often and he was sure his brothers and father agreed. And Legolas also, he admitted to himself, more often than not it was him on the receiving side.
The day dawned on them and then, before the occupants of Legolas's room knew it, night was upon them. Elrond and his sons were working restlessly to care for their wounded friend. Legolas fever had been slowly dropping ever since Elrond had drained the wound of infection and now that he had received rest and the proper medical care he needed.
Currently, the three elves and Aragorn were sitting down to a late dinner. The twins had thoughtfully brought it up to Legolas room, were they were know feasting. Aragorn stretched luxuriously were he sat. The man felt much better, his father had seen to his minor buries before forcing him to leave and clean up. He hadn't realized how much blood really had covered his body.
The human was still sitting on the bed, attempting to keep Legolas body cool. His best friends fever was still too high for his, or anyone else liking. But to his great relief the elf's skin no longer held that ashen tone and was only pale. It was defiantly a step in the right direction.
"Estel, did you hear what that man in the village to our north did?" Elrohir asked, turning to face him. Aragorn was as tense as a bow string; he needed something to distract him.
"No, I didn't." Aragorn said, a smile plying on his lips. He always enjoyed his brother's stories, as long they were not about him. Leaning forward he listen intently.
Unknown to them, Legolas eye lids began to flutter every so lightly as the story unfolded. His fist balled into the sheets in a desperate attempt not to cry out from the agony he was experiencing. Filling a whimper coming, Legolas bit down hard on his lower lip. He didn't even notice when his own blood began leaking. All this was in vain though as a whimper escaped anyway.
Aragorn and the other whipped around at the noise. Crowding in closer to the bed, each face was filled with heart wrenching concern.
"Legolas," Elrond called frowning as he took in Legolas deathly pale features. When the elf did not reply or make any sign that he had heard them, the elf lords frown grew.
"See if you can get him to respond." the lord of Imladris said softly, hurry towards the table to mix some pain killers for the young elf.
Aragorn nodded, calling his friends name again while he gently began to try and uncurl Legolas fingers from the sheet. When Legolas made no reply, only scrunching up his face in more pain, Aragorn voice became louder and clearer.
"Can you hear me," he called, his hand floating up to land on Legolas cheek. He and the twins sighed in relief was Legolas jerkily nodded."Good," the human said soothingly. His moved his hand form Legolas face back down to his hand. The strength with which Legolas gripped the bed sheet was so tight that the human would not be surprised if he found bruises on the elf's hand the next morning.
"Can you open your eyes?" was the humans next request. Legolas took a deep breath before attempting to open his stubbornly heavy eye lids. Quickly though, Legolas's glazed and fever bright eyes blinked open. The room was hazy to his eyes, as where the occupants forcing him to blink several times before they came into focus.
TBC…
Ok, that was a really horrible spot to end the chapter, but it was getting really long….at least it's not a cliffie, right?!"
Review Responses:
Eloshazzy: Thanks so much! I really love this kind of stories as well, so I am glad that you think that this is that good.
BrindyB: Don't worry, they are now in Rivendell and Legolas is getting better. What else could go wrong? (I don't think I really want to answer that! lol)
Kindered Spirit: it's ok, I didn't kill him! I didn't!
Epic Elven Warrior Princess: I didn't kill him, I was a good girl!
BlueTipped: Thanks! My readers really should get accustomed to this kind of thing!
robinsmum: w.o.w hannon le mellon-nin!
StarShadow Sword: I stopped there, because I am evil! Thanks, I appreciate knowing what my readers think!
imaginariamente: I know, I put those boys through so much! You are so right, it would not be a story without something like that in it!
tigerr79: Yes, I am evil. Eventually I will get around to writing an Aragorn angst…Legolas is just so much easier for me to torture for some reason. Thanks for reviewing!
Nearing Midnight: Thanks for pointing that out! I really do appreciate when my reader's point out my mistakes or what could me the story better! So…thanks again!
csiwannabee99: Thanks for reviewing! I am glad I am not alone in Leggy torture because that would just be a sad…
Firecracker27: I will .never. stop! No matter what you do to me! lol
ElrondofImladris: I hope you didn't go too insane while waiting! That would be so convent if our boys would teleport to Rivendell, it would cut out a lot of their troubles ;)