Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created.
OIOI
Summary: After receiving a cryptic message from Mirkwood, Lord Elrond hurries to the aid of the realm's troubled Crown Prince and discovers that things now are so very different for both of them.
Warning: This story is about a romantic relationship between the two main characters – Elrond and Legolas. It concentrates almost solely on the friendship and comfort side of the relationship and there are no explicit scenes or anything that could really be described as slash. However, if you really don't like that kind of thing then please don't read.
A/N: Thanks for your reviews. I am giving an extra chapter this week because today is my birthday and I need something to cheer myself up!
Enjoy the chapter.
OIOIOIOI
As You Were
OIOIOIOIOIO
Chapter 3
OIO
Cold, stunned silence filled the room as Elrond digested this information. His brain worked furiously to make sense of it. Legolas had just told him that he had cut his own father with a poison-laced knife. When it did finally sink in, anger fuelled his response and he demanded, "What? Why?"
"Because I had no choice! You have to believe me, Elrond, I had no choice."
In disbelief, Elrond said, "But, Legolas, you…"
"I tried not to hurt him too badly."
"Why? Why would you do that?"
"I had to, Elrond," Legolas cried. "Please understand."
"I don't understand. What is going on here?" Elrond yelled loudly, jumping up from his seat.
"Keep your voice down," Legolas hissed, suddenly panicked and looking nervously towards the door.
"Don't tell me what to do! You just told me that you tried to kill your own father."
"No, I said that I was the one who stabbed him. I never meant to seriously hurt him," Legolas protested and Elrond, beyond words, made a wordless exclamation. "I didn't want to do it, Elrond, but…they made me."
"Who?"
"Them. I don't know, Elrond. My father…I brought them into the palace and Ada let them stay. At first they were just…they just wanted to talk but then they…changed."
"Changed?"
"He just…They took everything, everyone."
"Legolas, you are not making any sense," Elrond interrupted the prince's rambling.
The young Elf shook his head, running his fingers through his hair. "I can't think straight."
"Legolas, you look absolutely exhausted. When was the last time you had a full, proper, uninterrupted nights' sleep?"
The prince chuckled softly. "They are very demanding."
"And what have you been using to keep yourself awake?" Elrond asked in a kind, gentle voice.
Automatically, Legolas answered, "Nothing."
Looking Legolas up and down sceptically, Elrond softly said, "I recognised the signs, Legolas. What have you been taking?" For a long moment, Legolas looked deep into Elrond's dark eyes, searching for signs of anger or disappointment but Elrond showed neither of these things so with a weary sigh, Legolas got up and went to the desk. He pulled open the bottom drawer and retrieved one of dozens of identical vials stacked there. Returning to the couch and sitting back down, Legolas handed the small vial to Elrond. The healer held it up to the light and instantly recognised the contents. Frowning in concern, he looked back to the prince. "This is an extremely potent stimulant. How long have you been taking this?"
"I don't know – a month, maybe," Legolas admitted.
Shocked and further concerned by this information, Elrond said, "Legolas, do you realise how dangerous this is? You could have…"
"I couldn't let them get to my father," the prince interrupted defensively.
"Is that why you stabbed him, to keep him safe?" Elrond snapped back somewhat cruelly.
Legolas did not rise to the bait but remained calm, answering the question as if it had never been asked in anger. "They meant to kill him anyway. They told me to do it or they would make us both suffer before the end. Of course, I refused at first but my father insisted – he hoped to save me, I think – and eventually I was left with no choice. So I…I stabbed him. I poisoned the blade to knock him unconscious. After they had left me, I dragged him back here." Here Legolas paused, as if afraid to recall what happened next. "I managed to help him but kept him unconscious. Then they found that he was really alive. They were…very angry but I managed to convince them that the king was far more valuable to them alive but I wanted to protect him so I kept on dosing him with medicines I managed to steal from the healing halls. I told them he was badly injured and in a coma. None of Mirkwood's healers could help them so I told them of you. I told them that you were a great healer and were the only one with a chance of helping him." Legolas said all this slowly and calmly as if reading from an account in a book rather than retelling recent events from his life.
Elrond listened to call this is respectful silence but laid his hand on Legolas' arm. "Legolas, do you know who they are?"
"Only that they are Men from Gondor."
"You have an army in the stronghold; why weren't these Men arrested when you discovered they were not legitimate?"
"I tried but…they had some kind of control over our guards. They no longer responded to our orders. We were powerless against them and they had control."
"So these people now have complete control over Mirkwood?" Legolas nodded, finally meeting Elrond's eyes. "For how long?"
"Nearly three months now," Legolas answered, having to take a moment to work it out as all the days and weeks melded indistinguishably together.
"Three months. And all of your guards are now under their control?"
"No, not all. It seemed that their methods didn't work on all the Elves in the kingdom. Those who could not be controlled, they used the ones who could to round up those who remained of free will. I think they have most of the guards it didn't work on locked up in the dungeons. I don't know how many of them are still alive," the prince said sadly.
"It didn't work on you?" Elrond asked, moving his hand back onto Legolas' shoulder.
"No."
"And you have no clue what is controlling your people?"
This time, Legolas hesitated in answering but after a moment's thought he shook his head. "No."
"Nor what they want?"
Legolas smiled at this. "Mirkwood may not be much but it does still hold some value. Gold and jewels in the vaults. And although the land is decayed and over-run with evil, it still holds some small amount of worth."
"You haven't attempted to take it back?"
At this, Legolas scoffed softly and ran his hands over his tired eyes. "Between watching my father and trying to meet their demands I haven't had much time for anything else. All of Mirkwood's warriors are extremely well-trained and dangerous and now they are all standing against me. My own staff, my own protectors, are now ready to kill me. These are people I have known all my life, they are friends. To see them…out of their minds, no more than puppets…I can't stand it, Elrond." Although his voice grew slightly shakier as he said this, he next took a steadying breath to calm himself down and felt Elrond's hand squeeze his shoulder a little tighter in sympathy and support. Legolas looked up at him, his eyes now clear once more. "I am so sorry for dragging you into this," he said genuinely.
"Why did you send for me? You knew exactly what keeps the king unconscious. And why have I been allowed in?"
"I told them that the king was dying and that only he knew where the best treasures of Mirkwood were kept and they would never get their hands on them without him. Also they know that if he dies they will have no more control over me," Legolas explained softly.
"And why am I not locked up also?"
Legolas chuckled under his breath. "You are not a threat to them and until you become one you are simply my guest here and they have no cause to interfere."
"What if I do become a threat to them?"
"Then they'll either try to control you, lock you up or…kill you. But I won't let that happen." Legolas added this last bit quickly, although Elrond had shown no sign of fear at his words.
Calmly, Elrond asked, "Is that why you locked me in your room when you left?"
Legolas looked into Elrond's eyes and offered him a wry smile. "I didn't think you would climb out of the window."
Elrond laughed softly. "I have to confess I don't make a habit but I was worried about you."
A sad look crossed Legolas' face at this. "I'm sorry," he said in a quiet voice.
"Legolas, why did you send for me, really? No more lies," the Imladrian Lord asked quietly.
The prince bowed his head, looking down at his clasped hands. Tears blurred his vision but he blinked them away. The words stuck in his throat and he had to clear it before he could speak. "I didn't want to be alone," he whispered in a trembling voice as though ashamed. "Three months and you're the first person…" He cut himself off, afraid to speak the words. "I'm sorry."
Elrond shifted closer to him, wrapping his arm around the trembling young Elf. Indeed, he could almost feel the deep, unrelenting loneliness coming off the prince in waves. As he hugged him, Elrond wondered if this was the first real comfort Legolas had had in all that time and he felt desperately sorry for him. "It's all right," he soothed kindly, feeling Legolas pressed close to him.
After a moment though Legolas pulled away and wiped away his tears then rubbed his tired eyes. "I know it's a selfish thing to want and I am so sorry."
Laying his hands over Legolas', Elrond said, "Do not keep apologising to me. The only thing I am annoyed at is that you did not send for my help sooner."
"I couldn't. I was so afraid for you," Legolas replied, his voice still shaking.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore. I'm here now," Elrond hushed, pulling the younger Elf close once more. Legolas rested his head against Elrond's shoulder and the Elven Lord heard him sigh softly as though relishing this peaceful moment while it lasted. "I don't know how, but we are going to work this out, all right?"
Suddenly, Legolas sat up straight, shifting away from Elrond in horror. "No! No, Elrond, you're going to return to Rivendell first thing tomorrow. I'm not going to put you in danger – or rather, more danger. I don't do it."
"I am not leaving, Legolas," Elrond told him in surprise.
"You have to. I'll tell them that there was nothing you could do to help Ada – or at least that you have prevented his death – and that I've sent you back to Imladris and that you know nothing about what's going on here."
"You think they'll let me just walk out of here?" Elrond asked sceptically.
"You pose them no threat."
"And if I go home and tell others about this?"
"They believe that I won't tell you anything."
"I could go home, summon my army and destroy their army and release you," Elrond suggested.
"Don't be so stupid, Elrond," Legolas spat out almost violently, getting up and starting to pace in front of the slightly startled Lord of Imladris. He had never heard Legolas speak quite so bitterly before. "Do you really think they haven't thought of that? The guards may be under their control but they are still the people I grew up with. Killing them is killing innocents and I won't do that, Elrond, even if it means I have to die myself," Legolas shouted angrily. "No, you have to go back to Rivendell and stay there."
"And what are you going to do when I'm gone?" Elrond asked, his own temper rising in frustration at Legolas' reasoning.
"I…I don't know but I'm not going to put anyone else in danger. I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you now."
Elrond got to his feet and placed himself in front of Legolas to stop him pacing. "I am sorry I suggested that we mount an attack. Of course I would never put innocent souls in harm's way, but you have to understand that I am still absorbing all this. But, Legolas, I am not going to leave you. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you when I could have prevented it," the dark Elf said kindly. "Please don't ask me to leave you again," he added in a quiet voice.
Legolas nodded and lowered his eyes again as they filled with tears. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted," he apologised sincerely.
"Shh, it's all right. It's understandable; you're tired," he sympathised.
The prince bobbed his head again and looked down at where Elrond's hand entangled their fingers together. "You know, when I first thought about contacting someone for help, you were the only person I could think of."
Elrond smiled and tucked a messy, loose lock of hair behind Legolas' ear. "I'm glad you did."
"You are kidding, right?" Legolas laughed despairingly.
"Not at all. Despite everything that has occurred between us, I still want to help you. You know you can always come to me if you're in trouble."
"This is a little more than 'trouble', don't you think?" Legolas sighed shakily, stepping closer to Elrond.
"Well, I'm here now and I'm not leaving. You're not alone anymore, understand?"
The sweet words were said with such genuine kindness that as Legolas nodded, a shaky sob escaped him again. Elrond pulled Legolas into a hug, holding him close as he shook with silent cries. With his face buried in Elrond's shirt, Legolas closed his eyes and concentrated on the soothing feel of Elrond's gentle hands rubbing circles on his back. It just felt good to be held by another person, someone who offered comfort rather than pain, that tears pricked his eyes. The warmth and love that surrounded him also warmed his heart and a little of the tension drained away.
When he felt his body starting to relax too much though he became worried that he might just fall asleep standing up in Elrond's strong arms so he pulled away, forcing his eyes open and wiped his tears from his cheeks with the sleeve of his tunic. "I'm sorry," he sniffed
"It's all right," Elrond stressed once more, letting his hands now rest on Legolas' arms. "Now, first thing's first, have they hurt you at all?"
"Not really," Legolas answered vaguely.
"What does 'not really' mean? Is it a yes or a no?"
"Nothing," the prince snapped, stepping away from Elrond.
"Nothing? Legolas, if you want me to help you then you're going to have to be honest with me," Elrond told him, reaching out to take his arms.
"Don't touch me. Get off of me," the young prince snapped angrily, taking a couple of steps back, as if afraid of the touch.
Elrond held his hands up – a display that he wasn't going to harm Legolas. "All right, I won't touch you," he assured kindly, startled but not offended by Legolas' harsh words.
Legolas leaned back against Thranduil's bed and ran trembling hands down his face. "I'm sorry, Elrond. I didn't mean to…I…I just can't…think straight."
This time Elrond walked boldly over to Legolas and took his hands firmly, looking into Legolas' glassy eyes. "Honestly, I am not surprised. You look like you're about to collapse."
"I'm all right," Legolas sighed. "Well, except…"
"Except?"
The young Elf smiled thinly. "Will you promise me you'll wait right here and not move?"
"Legolas…"
"Promise. Please."
Elrond shrugged and nodded. "All right, I promise," he agreed. For a long moment, Legolas stared into his eyes as if trying to convince himself that Elrond was telling the truth. Then the younger Elf nodded sharply and stepped away. "Where are you…?" Elrond started but Legolas had already run into the bathroom, hastily closing the door behind him. For a moment, the Elven Lord stood bemused as he waited for Legolas to finish. A small smile crossed his face but he wiped it off when Legolas stepped back out, looking considerably more relieved than before. "Feel better?" he asked with a small laughed. The young Elf nodded a little sheepishly. "You know, I could have waited for an explanation if you needed to go."
"Sorry."
"I swear, if you apologise to me one more time…"
"As I said, I have been a little pressed for time," Legolas said softly, taking his father's hand in his own.
"So pressed for time that you couldn't go to the bathroom?"
"He looks peaceful, right?" the prince said in a soft voice.
The Lord of Imladris followed Legolas' gaze down to the sleeping king. "Yes, he looks very peaceful."
"I had no choice."
"I believe that," Elrond said softly.
"Tell me he'll be all right," Legolas pleaded, his voice cracking.
Elrond walked over to Legolas and stood behind him, wrapping his arms around the young Elf. "He will be all right now. And you did do the right thing, Legolas. You did the only thing you could," he whispered honestly. He gently reached up and smoothed Legolas' hair over his stooped shoulder. "It's going to be all right now." Legolas leaned back slightly against him and for a while Elrond just held onto the young Elf silently. Eventually though he felt Legolas beginning to sway slightly on his feet and feared that he was going to fall if he didn't lie down soon. How on earth the young Elf was still on his feet was a mystery to the healer. "Come on, I think it's time you got some rest," he told Legolas and the prince startled slightly at the words.
"No, I should…"
"It's getting late. There's nothing either of us can do tonight."
"But…"
"No buts," Elrond insisted, turning Legolas around so they were face to face.
"It's too dangerous. And it's only a few hours until dawn anyway," Legolas pointed out.
"I don't care. I'm a healer and I'm telling you that you are going to sleep," Elrond told him in a firm voice.
"No, I won't put you in harm's way."
"How is you going to sleep putting me in harm's way?"
"Because you will do something stupid and get yourself hurt and I won't let it happen," Legolas insisted, his tone now angry again.
"If I swear I won't leave you side?"
Legolas shook his head. "I'll be fine. Just give me the…" He went to pick the bottle of stimulant Elrond had left on the table but the healer got there first and snatched it out of Legolas' reach. "Elrond, give it to me," the prince demanded. "Now, Elrond! I am in charge here, not you, give it back."
"No. No more of this. It is too dangerous, Legolas."
"Elrond, I don't have a choice. Give me the bottle."
"No. You have already been using this poison for far too long; far longer than any competent healer would deem safe. Look what it's doing to you." Gently, Elrond took Legolas' trembling hands in his own, making the blonde Elf also look down.
Tears filled his eyes and he shivered slightly. "I…I can't…I need it, Elrond. I can't do this otherwise," he said shakily.
"Listen; if we are left with no other option then I can give you a properly controlled dose. But only if it becomes absolutely necessary."
"There is no other option," Legolas snapped bluntly.
Remaining calm in the face of Legolas' harsh words, Elrond softly said, "Yes, there is."
"What?"
"It is called sleep, mellon nin," Elrond told him in a gentle voice. "Now, answer me honestly, when was the last time you had a good, full nights' sleep?"
"Honestly, I can't remember. All the days sort of blur together."
"That means a long time," Elrond pointed out and Legolas just shrugged, as if worried that his temper would flare up again if he spoke. "Do they expect you to remain in this room tonight?"
"I am here most of the time but it is not necessary."
"So, it wouldn't be at all suspicious if you stayed in your own rooms?"
"No," Legolas answered tersely, wondering why the Lord of Imladris was being purposefully annoying, fraying at his nerves.
"And if I stay with you?"
Legolas shook his head, at the same time taking a slow breath in to control his temper. "They won't care."
"And Thranduil?"
"They won't come near him. For now he is my problem. I have given him enough sedative to last at least until tomorrow evening."
"Tomorrow evening? What on earth have you been using?"
"Oh." Legolas went straight to the bedside table and pulled out a large bottle of tranquiliser. "I managed to steal it from the healing halls. I have been guessing the dose."
"This is an extremely potent tranquiliser, Legolas. To just guess at an appropriate dose is extremely dangerous. You're not a healer; you don't know how to correctly and safely use this kind of medication," Elrond lectured without even thinking.
"Don't you think I know that?" Legolas shouted loudly. "I live my every day – my every second – wondering if he'll ever wake up. I worry every day that what I have done might just kill him. I'm terrified every second of every day that I have killed my own father, slowly poisoning him to death. But it's all I can do, Elrond. It's all I can do."
"All right, all right. I didn't mean to imply that you were doing the wrong thing," Elrond calmed.
Shakily, Legolas took a deep breath. "I'm doing the best I can, Elrond, I really am."
"I know. I know you are. I'm sure that Thranduil will be all right for the time being. So Thranduil's fine and I'm not likely to get slaughtered in my sleep…"
"Don't say that," Legolas exclaimed in horror at the mere thought.
"I'm sorry," the older Elf apologised sincerely. "What I mean is that it's safe for now, right?"
"Yes," the prince said wearily.
"All right then. I need time to think and you have to sleep."
As Elrond took Legolas' hand and pulled him to the door, the blonde Elf demanded, "Where are we going?"
"You are going to lie down."
Suddenly, Legolas stopped abruptly and tugged on Elrond's arm to halt him too. "No, Elrond, I can't…I have to…"
Ignoring the younger Elf's objections, Elrond laid his hand on the door handle and asked, "Is it safe to go out there right now?"
Although Legolas rolled his eyes in irritation, he answered, "Yes."
With confidence that actually made Legolas envious to watch, Elrond yanked the door open, took Legolas' hand and dragged him out into the corridor past the completely stoic and unflinching guards outside. Legolas just had time to pull the door closed behind them before he found himself being led the short way down the hallway to Legolas' bedroom. Although Elrond was slightly nervous that the guards would suddenly pounce on them but they did not so much as glance their way. Legolas seemed completely unconcerned by the unseeing Elves though, which comforted Elrond somewhat. Nevertheless he breathed a sigh of relief when they reached Legolas' rooms and he was able to close the door on the eerie guards.
As Elrond lit the lamps in the room, he asked, "Are you allowed to eat?" Judging by the amount of weight Legolas appeared to have lost the answer was 'no'.
"Of course. Just lately though, I haven't…"
"Had the time?" Elrond guessed and Legolas nodded in confirmation. "You have to make time, Legolas. You need to take better care of yourself. How…?"
"I can go to the kitchens," Legolas said, as if almost excited at the prospect of leaving the room. "You wait here. Don't leave."
"Wait, Legolas," Elrond called before he left. "Get something for yourself."
The prince nodded and slipped out of the door. Although Elrond worried for his friend he had to admit to being rather relieved that it wasn't he who had to walk past those cold, empty shells in place of the Elves of Mirkwood. The chill that had clung to him when he had first come to Mirkwood had now returned full force and he found himself nervous to be left alone. So he busied himself tidying up the room, lighting a fire and trying to make the room as comfortable as possible for when the prince returned.
It took longer than Elrond would have liked for Legolas to return but when he did he looked no worse off than when he had left and he now carried a tray of food and two mugs full of steaming liquid, which Elrond assumed was tea. He got up from where he had been sitting on the bed and relieved Legolas of the tray, noting the sparse and extremely simple selection of foods laid out on the plates.
Elrond encouraged the prince to eat the food he had brought and the prince did so although it seemed he took no pleasure in it. For a while, Elrond left him in silence but then asked, "Legolas, about these guards…"
"What?" Legolas nearly yelled as if the break in silence annoyed him greatly.
Once again ignoring the tone, Elrond continued, "They don't follow your orders but can they hear you?"
"I don't know," Legolas sighed, taking a sip of his tea.
"And the Men, have you tried reasoning with them?"
"What do you think?" Legolas shouted, shoving his plate from his lap onto the bed. A moment of silence followed before the young Elf sighed and ran his hands over his face. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
"It's all right. Maybe now isn't the best time for questions." Legolas nodded, bowing his head. "I would imagine that that concoction of yours is beginning to wear off by now," Elrond said without anger or judgement and Legolas responded with a nod. The way he was feeling right then, he was certain that the stimulating drug he used to keep himself awake was completely gone from his system. "Have you ever crashed on this before?" Elrond asked softly, now sounding a little more like the sympathetic healer he normally was.
"No," Legolas answered softly.
"You've been taking it continuously?"
"I didn't have a choice."
"Well, you do now."
"Elrond, this is a bad idea," the prince sighed heavily.
"Mellon nin, you have to rest. There is only so long even the Elven body can go without proper sleep no matter how many drugs they take. And it is doing you no good. What you're feeling right now is only going to get worse the longer you leave it. It has to catch up with you eventually. You can't go on like this, Legolas. Look at yourself: the erratic temper, the inability to think with clarity, the trembling in your hands. If you carry on like this you are going to make yourself really unwell and then you will be no use at all to your father or to me. Do you understand what I'm telling you?" Elrond then gently asked.
In a small voice, Legolas answered, "Yes."
"All right," Elrond said gently, his own voice quiet. "Now, either you sleep willingly or I'll drug you unconscious."
Legolas' hand shot out and grasped Elrond's in shock. "No! No, Elrond, you can't. Please don't," he pleaded.
"Shh, shh, it's all right. Calm down. I was only joking. I'm sorry."
"Promise me," Legolas demanded urgently.
"I promise. Besides, I suspect that in an hour or so you won't need it anyway." As Legolas sighed in relief though, Elrond noticed him sway slightly on the bed. Placing his hand on Legolas' back in case he needed the support, Elrond muttered to himself, "Or perhaps under an hour." To Legolas he said, "Do you want to get changed into something more comfortable?"
"I'm fine. It's probably best if I stay as I am."
"If that's what you want," Elrond agreed readily. Standing up, the Elven Lord encouraged, "Come on, lie down." Legolas glanced down at the large bed as if it represented his greatest threat. "Mellon nin, you must be shattered; why are you so reluctant?"
Another long silence followed before Legolas spoke in a voice so quiet Elrond had to strain to hear. "I'm afraid," he admitted averting his eyes in embarrassment.
"You don't have to be afraid, mellon nin. I'll be right here. I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. But you have to rest, Legolas."
The prince nodded and Elrond saw a tear slide down his cheek. Immediately, Legolas wiped the wet trail away and shakily apologised, "Sorry."
"Stop apologising," Elrond smiled sadly, taking Legolas' hand.
"I…I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"Firstly, I think you were not entirely aware of what you were saying or certainly weren't able to stop yourself. And secondly, stop stalling." Legolas chuckled at this and looked up at his friend. "Lie back," he said, this time laying his hands on Legolas' shoulders and guiding him gently down so he was laid on the bed. "That's it," Elrond smiled.
"It's nearly dawn anyway."
"Then sleep for a couple of hours," Elrond said, pulling the sheets up over the younger Elf. "There you go."
"Elrond, promise me you won't do anything," Legolas pleaded once more.
"I won't do anything. I will be right here with you."
"And wake me if they come for me. Don't argue with them."
"I won't."
"If you argue with them it'll make them suspicious," the prince stressed even though he was having to fight to keep his eyes open.
"I promise you, I won't do anything or say anything to put either of us in danger. Go to sleep whilst you can."
Legolas nodded but a small smile crossed his pale lips. "Thank you for coming."
Elrond sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Legolas' hair back kindly. "Shh, close your eyes." At this, Legolas' eyes fluttered closed, simply unable to stay awake any longer. "You just sleep now," Elrond whispered but he knew Legolas didn't hear him as he was already fast asleep. For a while Elrond sat in silence, watching as Legolas' breathing evened out and his previously tense body relaxed back on the bed. It really was amazing how much the prince seemed to relax as the tension drained from his body. Even his face loosened, his creases of worry smoothed out and he looked remarkably small and vulnerable beneath the sheets. As he watched Legolas' steady breathing, Elrond felt the urge to look beneath the thick, wrinkled clothing Legolas wore and check that he really wasn't injured; he just couldn't believe Legolas' claim that he was all right.
Elrond longed to wrap his arms tightly around the young Elf he loved so much. The despair radiating from him made Elrond's heart ache. Clearly, Legolas had been through a lot – seemingly already more than he could really handle. He wished he could take away the fear in Legolas' eyes, make them sparkle with laughter again. In all the years he had known the prince he'd never seen him look so grim and hopeless.
He hoped that after Legolas had been allowed to sleep for a while that they could talk properly and he could get some real answers about what was going on in Mirkwood. In the state he was currently in, Legolas was no good to Elrond. The poor Elf could hardly think straight and that was a worrying thing. Elrond wondered what exactly had happened to the young prince.
Once Legolas was resting peacefully, Elrond moved over to the divan and laid back, dragging the woollen thrown down to cover himself. Truth be told, he was still a little weary himself from the long ride from Imladris. As he laid there trying to drift off into sleep, Elrond once again wished that he had asked Glorfindel or his own sons – or the whole of the Imladrian Guard – to come with him on this unofficial trip to Mirkwood. He considered, perhaps, attempting to smuggle a message out of the kingdom but he knew it was too risky, at least until he knew what they were really up against.
To Be Continued…