Kissing Estel gently on the forehead, Legolas sat up and sighed. It had been a trying day.
Legolas had administered Gandalf's cure and all hell had broken loose. Everyone in the keep was weary, little Estel most of all. Though Gandalf had assured Legolas the cure was safe he did mention it had nasty side effects. He wasn't exaggerating.
At first Estel refused to even take it, accepting just one drop on the tongue before screwing up his face and spitting until he'd rid himself of the taste, thoroughly embarrassing Legolas. He'd had to ask Elrond's twin sons to hold him down while he spooned the required dose into the furious little wriggler. Estel had run from them as soon as they let him loose but didn't get far, fainting halfway across the hall.
These fainting spells persisted through out the day, meaning Estel spent the day drifting in and out of consciousness. When he was conscious he was given over to sudden bursts of anger and petulance, throwing explosive tantrums that ended as suddenly as they started. After the tantrums he lay about, crying hysterically and clutching his stomach while Legolas tried desperately to soothe him. The pains led to vomiting, preventing Estel from keeping any food or drink down. When he dropped back into a faint, a nosebleed followed without fail.
Poor Legolas was at his wits end all day, busting his gut worrying for the little one. Now finally he'd dropped off, clothed in man sized clothing, exhausted and grizzly. His sleep was fitful as he moaned, groaned, tossed and turned. Legolas knew there was nothing he could do for him but still couldn't bring himself to leave his bedside. After a while, Elrond came in to relieve him.
"You have been a faithful caregiver for many days Legolas but now it is time for you to rest. I will take your place and watch Estel in case something should happen"
Obediently, wearily Legolas got up and left the room. He had almost made it to the door when a sudden thought pulled him back. "You will come and alert me if anything does happen won't you?"
Elrond smiled "yes Legolas"
Legolas went to go again but another thought pulled him back "Even if I'm asleep. I mean, you can wake me up if it's an emergency. I won't mind"
Elrond stood and gently but firmly marched Legolas from the room. "If anything happens I will send for you immediately. Now go. To. Sleep" he all but ordered Legolas, giving him a kind shove in the direction of his bedchambers. Shaking his head wearily, Elrond took his place at Estel's bedside.
Legolas managed to get a few good hours of sleep; exhausted as he was he dropped off almost instantly. But halfway through a dream a noise roused him from his slumber. He sat up in his bed, rubbing his eyes wearily, trying to figure out what sound had roused him. As soon as he figured it out, his weariness fell from him with a start. It was Estel's cry! And not just a grizzle either. This cry was full blown shriek of fear and pain. He threw himself out of the bed and down the corridor, hurtling into Estel's bedroom. Elrond was holding him to his chest, jigging and swaying him, trying in vain to soothe his cries. Legolas lurched forward and took Estel from Elrond before he even had time to register.
"Oh my baby, what's the matter A'maelamin?"
"My... my... tummy!" Estel moaned pain thickly evident in his voice.
"Oh Estel, I'm so sorry baby" Legolas held him close and rubbed his back soothingly.
He began to swing him rhythmically. He did not seem to notice that anyone else was in the room. Elrond stood by as Legolas sat down on the bed, still focused entirely on the wailing Estel.
"Oh my brave boy Estel! I'm so sorry my baby, but you are being so good! I promise you it will be over soon"
"Help me Naneth!"
Tears slipped from Legolas' eyes and he cradled Estel close. "You are being so brave, my boy! I'm so proud of you!"
"Brave?"
"Yes, oh my dear courageous boy! So brave!"
"My tummy!"
"I know, Estel I know." Sense came back to Legolas and he saw the futility of panic, weeping, frantic words. "Your tummy is sore because you have got yourself all upset. Your tummy will be better if you can calm down"
He began to calm himself, so he would not add to the little one's distress. Slowly, softly, he began to sing. Elrond crept silently from the room, unnoticed. For hours Legolas paced the floor, swaying, singing, soothing. Estel's cries dwindled into grizzles and whimpers and finally ceased. Legolas collapsed in a chair and exhaustion took him.
Elrond, who had been standing by the door, waiting for quiet, gingerly re-entered the room. He took Estel from Legolas and tucked him back into bed, as he had many, many years before. He then bore Legolas to his bed-chambers. As he was moved, Legolas mumbled in his sleep but did not stir. Elrond laid him on his bed once more and covered him over with blankets.
"You have endured much, young Mirkwood Prince, and have done so with tenderness and compassion. Though it is unlikely Aragorn will remember your efforts, you have my gratitude. You have done a noble work and it does you credit"
Silently, the elven lord drew from the room, leaving Legolas to a well earned slumber.
This slumber, for both Legolas and Estel was uninterrupted for a long time. The sun was high in the sky when Elrond decided to waken them. He went to Legolas first and shook him gently. The elven prince groaned quietly and turned over sleepily, batting Elrond's hands away.
"Come now weary prince. Don't you wish to see the end of your work, to see your friend restored?"
With these words, Legolas suddenly had no trouble throwing off the dregs of sleep, leaping out of bed and down the hallway, as he had done many a time of late. Elrond followed at much slower, dignified pace and did not burst through the door as Legolas did. As the sound of the banging door, the man in the bed sat straight up in surprise.
"Aragorn!" Legolas cried and even leapt up onto his bed, throwing his arms round his neck and embracing him fiercely.
Aragorn's surprise continued and he looked to Elrond who merely stood with an amused smile on his face.
"You're alright, you're alright, you're alright! Oh, Aragorn you're alright!" Legolas cried in delight.
"What has come over you Legolas? Of course I am alright, why would you think otherwise?" Aragorn replied, gently disentangling himself from Legolas' grasp.
Elrond interjected with his prepared explanation "you have lain abed ill for many days, Aragorn. It seems Eleniel wine does not agree with you. I should steer clear of it in future"
"Lain abed ill? It must have been a deep stupor for I do not recall a single detail"
"Legolas tended to you night and day. He has lost much sleep over you"
Aragorn turned to Legolas "Now I understand your earlier outburst. I thank you Legolas for all the pains you have taken over me"
"Aragorn…" Legolas said, seriously holding his gaze "you really cannot comprehend what it was like. But it was my pleasure"
Aragorn did not know why both Legolas and Elrond laughed, but he did not mind. He knew that all was right with the world.