The valerian root did an excellent job.
Thranduil was lying in his bed, sleeping. Elrond and Legolas had finally time to catch their breath. This had been nerve-racking.
The Peredhel started to tend to the kings wounds using arnica. Some of the cuts on Thranduils hands and feet were very deep. It was most likely that they would be scarred forever. Nevertheless Elrond did the best he could. Maybe some of them would vanish over the years.
"So you think that grief is the cause?", Legolas asked. Elrond had told him his theory, but the young elf was still skeptical. "If he's just sad...why does he have such sudden and strange changes in his behaviour?"
"Your father suppressed these feelings for thousands of years but that didn't make them disappear. He put them in a box, somewhere in his mind and never opened it, except to put more grief and sorrow inside. Maybe the box was full now or maybe something happened that made it no longer possible for Thranduil to keep the box closed. I don't know. But I do know that such an amount of grief can make an elfs mind and heart seriously ill. I guess that his strange behaviour has something to do with his mind trying to find a way to deal with that huge wave of pain and sorrow."
"So is there something we can do to help him? To make it stop?"
Elrond looked at the young prince with a sad expression.
"I'm afraid no. I can try to ease his pain with herbs but he has to endure it. He ignored these feelings for far too long. They need to be set free. The only thing we can do though, is to make sure that he won't hurt himself again or...others." Elronds hand went up to his bruised throat, thinking about how close he had been to death.
"Thank you, Legolas. For saving my life."
The young elf smiled and bowed his head slightly.
It was clear for both of them, that they wouldn't leave the other one alone with the king. He was too dangerous, too unpredictable in his current state.
Suddenly they heard Thranduils voice. Although his eyes remained shut he seemed to be awake.
"I need wine", he mumbled, "Bring me wine."
"No you've had enough wine", was Elronds response.
"But I need it."
"Why do you need it?" Elrond enquired.
"I just need it, all right. I don't have to explain myself to you", was the sullen answer.
Elrond decided to keep quiet. He began to put some herbs in a cup then filled it with hot water. He whispered old elfish words whilst holding the cup in both hands. Legolas observed it with growing curiosity but he didn't dare to disturb the Lord of Imladris.
Thranduil groaned: "Alright, I'll tell you why."
His eyes were open now, but he looked down at his own chest. In a low voice he said: "I need it to numb the pain. I need it to forget. I need it to pass out. No feelings, no dreams just utter darkness and nothing else. So please, will you bring me wine or at least let me get some myself? I can't take it anymore."
"Here, drink this", Elrond said, handing the cup over to Thranduil.
"What is it?" Hesitantly, the king took the cup, sipped at it and instantly grimaced. "Are you trying to poison me?!"
"No. It is centaury. It will help to cleanse your body of all the alcohol you've been drinking the past few weeks." Elrond saw the displeased look on Thranduils face but he insisted: "Drink it."
The king obeyed, though it was obvious that he was reluctant to do so. "It's disgusting", he muttered.
Elrond looked at Legolas and they both couldn't avoid a smile. "Well, it's medicine. It's not supposed to taste good. You should know that by now", the Peredhel said.
All he got in response was a killing glance.
After the king had finished drinking the horrid medicine, he fell asleep again. Elrond went to the chamber door and instructed the guards outside to bring some light food and more hot water. The concern he saw in their faces warmed his heart. These wood elves might be stubborn and not that considerate, but nevertheless, they cared deeply for their king. One of the guards hurried away to get what the Peredhel had asked for. And soon, Elrond carried a tray with some steamed vegetables and a jug of hot water to the bedside. Legolas sat on the floor, leaning against the bed, keeping an eye on his father.
Elrond took some of the orange mullein and mixed it with the vegetables, so that it looked just like regular seasoning. This would help Thranduils sad heart. Also would the second tea he was about to prepare for him. This time with hypericum. This yellow plant worked excellent when someone needed to lift his spirits. Together with old elfish healing magic these herbs would hopefully help the king to get better soon. Now it was time to wake Thranduil up.
Elrond called the kings name in a low voice and told him to open his eyes. Instantly Thranduil responded to the half-elf's words and looked at him.
Both Legolas' and Elrond's nerves were frayed. They anxiously waited for a sign that would give away the state of mind the king had woken up with. But he just kept looking at them and sat up. Finally he raised one eyebrow and said: "Did you wake me up to stare at me?"
The relief the two elves felt was clearly visible. Thranduil seemed to be himself...for now.
"I brought you some food and another tea. Don't worry, it won't taste as bad as the last one did. I promise." Elrond smiled and set the tray down on Thranduils lap.
To the Peredhels delight, the king ate and drank all that he'd prepared for him, without protest.