Elrond's POV

Elrond picked up the rag settled on Legolas' pale head and laid his hand where it had been. Finding the fever burning just as much as it had all night, he rewet the cloth and placed it back with a heavy sigh. He was exhausted from earlier events. After finding the dying slave and bringing him to the healing wing, he spent half the night setting his broken nose and shoulder; taking care to clean the shredded back and stitching the deeper wounds. Right now, Legolas still showed no signs of waking, as white as the sheets he laid on.

A sudden twitch roused Elrond from his musings. Legolas scrunched up his eyebrows and moaned lowly. The healer placed a hand on him so he would not turn from where he laid on his side and roll onto his injured back.

"Legolas? Can you hear me?" Legolas gave no reply, only furrowing his brow further in pain. The small elf began mumbling in Sindarin, striking fear into the elf lord who thought perhaps he had become delirious from the fever.

"N…no…saes…stop…no more…" Legolas flinched and groaned loudly, making Elrond jump slightly at the unexpected outburst. He gently shook the elf's leg, since the arm not pinned by the bed was bandaged closely to his body to prevent the bone from breaking further.

"Awaken Legolas. It is naught but a dream. You are in the healing wing." The lithe elf calmed slightly, relaxing into the bed once again.

The doors suddenly burst open. Elrond glanced sharply at the door, wondering who caused such a ruckus into the healing ward. Lord Katar strode in, looking somewhat disheveled. His robes were wrinkled and half of his hair had escaped the tight braid he kept it in.

"Lord Elrond," His tone instantly set of warning bells in Elrond's head. Lord Katar was being too flattering. The council member wanted something. "I heard that you were caring for the royal slave," he continued. "I came, for I could not believe my ears. The greatest healer having to stoop so low as to heal a mere slave. Why do you bother fixing what can easily be replaced?"

The second Lord Katar began speaking, Legolas started shifting on the bed restlessly, little moans spilling from his chapped lips. Why would the little elf react in such a way towards this elf's presence?

Lord Katar took his silence as he pondered the implications of Legolas' actions as him debating the question, and strode forward to further convince the healer. He set his hand on Legolas' arm and opened his mouth to speak. Before a word could be heard, Legolas reacted.

He shot up with a wild cry, lashing out with his good arm blindly. Elrond rushed to restrain the little elf before he ripped his stitches, pinning him to the bed carefully. Legolas continued to buck, trying desperately to escape. His eyes were wide open but glazed and unfocused, rolling around the room half crazed.

"Legolas! Be still!" Elrond jerked his head around and glared at Lord Katar, who was standing there stupidly. "Get out! Your presence is upsetting him!"

"But Sire-" His argument was cut off by Elrond's sharp command.

"Now! That's an order!" The other elf smartly left quickly, shutting the doors rather loudly behind him. Legolas settled down instantly, but still shook with terror. The healer rubbed the stubbled hair gently, lending comfort.

"Shh. He is gone. You are safe." Legolas whimpered a few times before going limp, sleep claiming his exhausted body. The Lord carefully placed the slave on his good side again and checked his injuries, sighing in relief when he found no wounds reopened.

With Legolas resting peacefully on the bed, Elrond settled himself into the chair beside the bed, thinking about the little elf's reaction. It was possible the elf feared the council member because he was punished for lashing out at him, but that though was quickly dismissed. Legolas had not shown fear like that after the incident. What if Lord Katar hurt him without the King's knowledge?

Everything slowly clicked into place. The unexpected visit, the strange tone, the loud actions. It all made sense. Perhaps Lord Katar was the one that tortured the little elf. Mind made up, Elrond stood abruptly and strode from the room, intent on getting answers.

Saes: Please

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I know, first of all, I have FINALLY updated. My busy schedule is officially cleared up immensely, so I promise more really soon. Secondly, really short chapter. Sorry for that but I'm on a ten hour car ride, my laptop is dying, and I'm sick. On a good note, Lord Katar is finally discovered, secrets will be spilt, and justice will be served (or will it?). Hope you liked!