First Meeting

Chapter 12: In the Talan

Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy belongs to J. R. R. Tolkien. I'm writing this for fun, not money.

After leaving Strider, Legolas climbed up to the talan used by the patrols captains to hold meetings. It was the only talan in the camp, other than the healing talan, and it was there that he asked Isteth and Caunon to meet with him. "I will need to return to the stronghold with the Adan as soon as possible." He informed them, then turned to Isteth. "When will he be fit for travel?"

"I would recommend at least a day or two." Isteth said after considering it for a moment. "He will need time to rest and regain his strength. I would also like to monitor his condition for awhile longer. When I was questioning him he seemed a bit confused, and I fear he may have suffered some memory loss."

"Confused?" Legolas questioned. "He did not appear to be confused when I spoke with him."

"When asked, he could not remember why he was with you or what you were doing in the forest. It is common with head injuries to forget the events leading up to the injury, but it may be just temporary."

Legolas quickly came to the conclusion that Strider not answering the healer's questions had little to do with his injury. Most likely he was just making an attempt to hide his crimes.

"I am sure it was just some temporary confusion," Legolas assured her. "But we will still remain here at least for tonight until we see how Strider is faring."

Truthfully, he agreed to stay not only out of concern for the Adan's health, but also due to his reluctance to confront his father. He respected his father a lot and had no wish to quarrel with him, although it would be unavoidable if he wanted the Adan to be shown mercy. He did not mind putting off that confrontation for another day.

"Very well." Isteth said. "Then perhaps you will allow me to treat that wound on your arm in the meantime."

"It is no big deal." He assured her.

Despite his assurances, Isteth undid the bandages he had wrapped around it, cleaned the wound, and applied herbs to fight infection.

"It will heal better if I stitch it." She informed him.

Legolas made only a mild protest to that decree. This was not Legolas' first injury received in battle and he knew from experience that it was futile to argue with the healers. Isteth quickly quieted his complaints, and left to fetch a needle and thread.

After she was gone, he turned to address Caunon who had remained silent so far. If his return to the stronghold was going to be delayed, Legolas would at least need to let his father know that he was safe.

"I would like you to send a messenger to the stronghold with all speed." Legolas told him. "Have him inform the King that the Adan and I are safe and will be staying in the camp for a day or two to recover before we begin our journey back."

"He also will need to be informed of the unfortunate deaths of Tauriel and Daugron in their service to this realm." Legolas added quietly.

"Yes, My Lord." Caunon replied, obediently. He bowed to Legolas before leaving the talan in search of fast rider to relay the message to.

It was not long afterwards that Isteth returned carrying the healing supplies. Legolas sighed, but allowed her to treat his arm. The medicine that she rubbed around the wound numbed his arm, and prevented him from feeling any real pain. Yet he still found it unpleasant to watch the needle going through his arm, so he sought for something to distract himself. This was not that difficult as he certainly had a lot to think on.

He considered the story that Strider had told him. The man's claim that he was innocent and had only acted to avoid an execution that he did not deserve troubled Legolas greatly. He did not like to consider the idea that his father may have sentenced an innocent man to death.

He had been present when the men were sentenced and knew that they had not been granted a chance to defend their innocence. In truth, he also had not believed that any of them could have been innocent. The men were found far from the Forest Path or the Old Forest Road, and there was no reason for men to venture through the forest away from the path unless they were poaching or outlaws. Legolas had heard a healer that had tended the prisoners telling the King that he had seen a brand on one of the men while tending to a wound on his shoulder. Brands were a punishment typically reserved only for heinous crimes committed in mannish towns. Hearing that one man had the brand had quickly led to the conclusion that all of the men were outlaws. Why would an innocent man spend his time in the company of such criminals? Yet Strider had offered a reasonable explanation for why he was in the forest and why he was found among the other men.

Still, that did not mean his explanation was true. He could have simply made up the tale to avoid justice. Legolas had seen for himself that Strider did not have a brand on his shoulder, but perhaps he had escaped before his punishment had been delivered.

Legolas let out a sigh, and Isteth looked up from her stitches worried. He just shook his head, dismissing her concern. She must have realised that he was otherwise occupied because the normally talkative healer remained silent as she finished his stitches.

Legolas knew that whether or not Strider had committed a crime in any mannish town would mean little to his Adar now. In addition to trespassing, the man was now also guilty of kidnapping and holding hostage the Prince of Mirkwood. Even worse, although unintentionally and indirectly, his actions had also caused the deaths of two warriors of Mirkwood. That was not something the King would take lightly.

"Finished." Isteth said finally. "Just be careful for awhile not to do anything to strenuous or you will risk ripping them out."

Legolas murmured a quiet thank you to the healer. He was tired and since they would not leave until Strider was well enough to travel, Legolas planned on taking advantage of that time to get some much needed rest. He bid Isteth a goodnight and left the talan to go sleep beneath the light of the stars.