Legolas looked around him in a slow, bewildered way not entirely sure where he was. He was on a path of some sort; it was thin with only just enough space for him to traverse upon and covered in a thick coat of snow and the young Prince was being pulled along it despite no effort on his part. The path wound away from him into foggy, misty gloom and despite his best efforts Legolas could not see past the mist. Even though with every moment he got further and further down the path he still could not see where or what he was being pulled toward.

The immediate surroundings Legolas was being pulled through were quite clear however in sharp contrast to the mist that lay at the end of the long, winding path. The young blonde was surrounded by trees, leafless and withered looking as though they were deep in their winter sleep and the Prince frowned. He was pretty sure that summer had just come upon the Woodland realm. Why did it look like deepest winter here?

Legolas' frown deepened as he studied his surroundings – the 'snow' on the path had a distinctly grey tint to it and now that he was paying attention the atmosphere was warm – quite warm – and the temperature seemed to be increasing with every unwanted step that he took.

Legolas kicked out at a particularly large mound of the 'snow' as he passed it and coughed and sputtered as it sprayed up into the air filling it with dusty smoky smelling smog. It stung his eyes, made them water and burn and threatened to smother him as it did its best to work its way into his mouth and nostrils. Legolas coughed hard again in an effort to clear his lungs whilst he waved his arms round in a vain attempt to clear the air.

Ash. It wasn't snow but ash and Legolas looked round him feeling even more bewildered and now just a little bit scared. Why was there so much ash here? There were great big piles of it everywhere and it covered everything in a thick layer and now that he was further down the mysterious path it seemed to be falling from the sky in a mocking mimicry of real snow. Legolas looked up anxiously wondering at the source of the soft smoky particles and was horrified to see that it fell from the very tops of the trees. Trees that no longer looked as though they were in their peaceful winters sleep but trees that looked as though they had been very badly burnt. Burnt to almost nothing - only the stronger, sturdier braches and trunks remained - cracked and blackened whilst the rest crumbled and tumbled to the earth below in a shower of ash.

Legolas tried to bring himself to a halt then; it was rather disconcerting to be pulled against his will into such horrifying destruction and ever closer toward the deep impenetrable mist but found he could not halt his motion. Whatever invisible force that propelled him along was infinitely stronger than him and Legolas had to fight down a wave of panic.

He had no idea where he was but he knew he didn't like it – it was awful to see so many burnt and scorched trees and even more terrible to be pulled through the ashes of what had once been magnificent, beautiful green living beings. It filled his heart with sorrow to think of the fiery end the trees had met and he put even more effort into trying to pull away, trying to turn back. Legolas had had enough – he didn't want to see any more of this – he wanted to go home. But the force that pulled him along had entirely different ideas and if anything seemed to pull him even quicker down the path entirely resistant to the Prince's struggles.

Then the whispering started.

Softly at first, so low that Legolas almost missed it. It quickly grew in volume though and came at the disconcerted Prince from all sides.

Stay with us, stay.

Legolas whipped his head up and looked around in haunted manner as the first coherent words came through to him.

You wanted to have true knowledge of the terrible things that dragons do.

Legolas was quite sure he wanted to know nothing further of dragons and the terrible things they could do. He had already learned rather a lot more than he had bargained for from Mithrandir.

You were ever so curious about it all so stay with us, stay and look.

Legolas struggled all the harder; he most certainly did not want to stay. He wanted to leave. Now.

Stay and feast your eyes upon the destruction of dragon fire. Stay little princeling and we shall show and tell you all. Come now, come and see.

"No!" Legolas tried to dig his feet in, desperate to stop his progression down the path but they only slid and slipped on the copious amounts of ash instead. "I don't want to see. I don't want to know. I don't need to know. Stop this! Let me go!"

The young blonde's struggles remained futile and his pleas unanswered as the burnt, dead trees continued to chant for him to stay and see. Worse than that he was very near the end of the path now, very near the mysterious mist.

"No!" Legolas screamed, all pretence at bravery and calm cast aside in genuine terror.

Oh yes! YOU MUST STAY!

All of a sudden the dead, charred, blackened trees all around Legolas merged and morphed into the towering, terrifying shape of a dragon. It leered down at Legolas and before the Prince could so much as scream it shot out its huge spine covered tail to encircle and trap Legolas within its iron strong grip and pure cold terror filled the Prince.

COME AND SEE LITLE ONE; COME AND SEE WHAT HAS TRULY HAPPENDED TO YOUR ADAR. COME AND SEE WHAT I HAVE DONE TO LAY LOW THE MIGHTY ELVEN KING!

The dragon gave a sharp pull with its tail and dragged Legolas into the mist. Mist that was in actual fact choking, cloying smoke that emanated from yet more trees that were being burned all around him. Huge flames licked at them, blackening their leaves, branches and trunk until nothing remained save scarred, charred stumps and piles upon piles of ash. Tears pooled and fell and Legolas screamed unable to contain his fear and horror at the sights before him. The forest – his beautiful home was being burned away into nothing before his very eyes.

The dragon which still had hold of him only cackled mercilessly – a cruel, cold sound that sent shivers up Legolas' spine.

WHY DO YOU CRY ALREADY LITTLE ONE? I HAVE NOT EVEN SHOWN YOU MY BEST WORK YET. BEHOLD…

The dragon thrust Legolas forward with its tail toward something that looked suspiciously like an unlit funeral pyre. Legolas blinked once, twice, eyes burning from tears, smoke and ash and then he saw it.

A glimpse of distinctive platinum blonde hair that Legolas would recognise anywhere drifted up from the prone figure on the pyre and floated for a moment in the too hot air.

Legolas gaped. It could not be.

The dragon smirked.

BEHOLD THE ELVEN KING – MY GREATEST WORK OF DESTRUCTION TO DATE. I AM PLEASED YOU ARE HERE LITTLE ONE TO WITNESS THE FINISHING TOUCH TO MY MASTERPEICE.

Legolas looked up at the horrific beast in confusion and saw the dragon inhale a monstrous breath; and he stared as a fiery red lit up the beasts belly and travelled up its throat toward its open mouth. Its open mouth that was aimed directly at the figure on the funeral pyre – aimed at his Adar.

Dreadful understanding came to the Prince all at once and fear filled his very fëa.

Legolas screamed.

~o~

"Adar! No!"

Rithel shot up and out of the bedside chair she had been sitting in and onto the bed in seconds. She pulled the bed's young occupant lovingly into her arms and gave a firm shake. Enough was enough; the Princess could not bear to see her baby brother trapped within the throes of what was clearly a horrific nightmare any longer.

"Las, Lasseg-nin, wake up tithen Las. I need you to wake up." Rithel punctuated each word with a small but firm shake.

Fear filled blue eyes finally snapped into focus and darted round in clear fright before another firm shake ensured that the blue orbs concentrated on the Crown Princess.

"It's ok Lasseg. It was just a bad dream, you are here – with me – you are safe." Rithel cuddled her little brother closer.

The young blonde slumped against her in clear relief for a moment before he pushed up and away from her cheeks aflame. "What…what are you doing here Rithel?"

Rithel silenced the chuckle that wanted to escape her; Legolas was at that adorably, awkward age where he felt far too old to be accepting such things as comfort and hugs.

Instead she gave her little brother a warm smile, "The guards posted at your door could hear that your sleep was disturbed; it is Thanniel's night off so I thought I'd come and look in on you."

Legolas crossed his arms and inched even further away from his sister, "You needn't have come – the guards ought not to have disturbed you." He frowned in the direction of his doors as if trying to see said guards through the walls before he turned back to Rithel, "I'm fine – you needn't worry. You can go now – I have held you up enough."

Rithel held back an aggrieved sigh – her brother's standoffish-ness was rapidly losing its adorable appeal.

"You are not holding me up Lasseg-nin, I will always have time for you – you know that.And I know you are far from fine – do not lie to your gwathel." Rithel reached out and placed her arm around his shoulders and forcibly drew him closer. Tenderly she brushed aside dishevelled blonde locks to look into Legolas' troubled blue eyes, "Tell me what you dreamt of. What was so awful that it had you calling out for Adar?"

Legolas twisted and broke eye contact, "It was nothing – really Rithel – do not worry."

Rithel sighed but did not let loose her grip and instead pulled Legolas even closer and ignored the way he tensed under her hands. She pulled him until she was able to lay her head on his and rubbed soothing circles into his back.

"You can tell me Las, I am your big sister and I will always be here for you no matter what." Rithel murmured gently into the soft blonde hair, "I will never laugh at you or mock you and I will never betray your trust. I will always protect your secrets, so just please, please tell me what troubles haunt your dreams. You seemed… you seemed so terrified."

Legolas took a deep breath before he let it out slowly and crumpled into Rithel's arms.

"I…I dreamt about Adar…"

~o~

Rithel was fuming.

Damn you Mithrandir, she thought with pure malice. If the Istar were to make an appearance just then Rithel could not be sure she wouldn't badly hurt him.

The Princess let out a slow angry breath and tried to reign in her temper lest the murderous intent that rolled off her in waves disturb her tithen gwanûr who was at last sound asleep and peacefully so.

Legolas had crumbled quickly and told her the entirety of his dream in disturbingly vivid detail. Rithel shivered just thinking about it and instinctively her hand went to Legolas' brow and pushed back a stray hair in a soothing gesture. Legolas had been crying by the end of his tale and she had been hard pressed to get him to stop. Somewhere in between Legolas recounting his nightmare and crying himself into tired oblivion he had let slip that it was Mithrandir who had given him the details to fuel his vivid, terrifying dream.

Rithel grit her teeth. There was a reason why Lord Arahaelon, Thanniel and herself had decided to omit a rather lot of details when speaking to Legolas of their Adar's plight. Legolas was just too young to handle the full, violent and disturbing truth. Who did Mithrandir think he was to go against their wishes? What had he been thinking? Surely he did not think that such a tale would have no effect on such a young and impressionable ellon?

Rithel sighed and continued to stroke her brother's silken hair. Legolas had such an active imagination as it was – Mithrandir really ought not to have told him anything. The Princess knew that until Legolas got to see their Adar in the flesh he would continue to suffer from the terrifying mix of his over-active mind and the grim details he had been so unwisely given. Rithel rubbed at her tired eyes – she had not had the heart to leave her brother on his own even after he had finally fallen asleep and she had spent the entire night at his bedside keeping a keen eye out for even the slightest bit of disturbance in his rest.

Anor was rapidly rising now and Rithel got up, drew the heavy drapes and effectively shut out the cheerful light. Legolas had only been asleep for an hour or two - when he had finally given in to his exhaustion after hours of sorrowful, frightened tears and near fevered imaginings. It had taken her what felt like an age to convince Legolas that yes, their Adar was really still alive and that he had not been killed by dragon fire. Rithel had also had to forcibly drag Legolas out onto his balcony and make him take a good long look out over their extensive realm to prove to him that the Wood did not burn, there were no more dragons and that it had all been part of an exceptionally intense nightmare. She was damned if she was going to let the sunlight awaken her exhausted little brother just yet.

Rithel would have a word with Lord Arahaelon and Legolas' tutors and instructors informing them that the young Prince would not be attending any lessons or practise sessions until the morrow.

A tapping at the door and Thanniel's cheery voice calling out for Legolas to rise and shine saw Rithel rush to the door.

"Ah," Thanniel took a surprised step backwards. "Oh Riel Rithel you surprised me." Thanniel hurriedly dropped into a curtsey, "Mae govannen Riel-nin."

Rithel peered into the darkness of the room behind her and satisfied that Legolas was still asleep she shut the door gently behind her.

"Suilad Thanniel," Rithel rubbed her eyes and willed away her own tiredness. "You needn't awaken nor attend Legolas just yet – he shan't be attending any lessons or his pre-warrior training today."

Thanniel's face paled, "Why? Um, begging your pardon Riel-nin but what is wrong with Legolas?" Thanniel directed the question at Rithel but her gaze was focussed on the bedchamber door behind Rithel and the former nanny looked as though she would shove the Princess aside if she did not get an answer soon.

"He had a night terror, a rather frightening one to the point where the guards could hear him from the hallway. They sent for me as it was your night off and I calmed him in the end but he has spent nearly the entire night awake and rather distressed. I think it would be best if he just got some rest today."

"Oh the poor lamb," A concerned frown marred Thanniel's fair face. "Did you manage to pry out of him the cause for his nightmare? I know Legolas has a tendency to to clam up when it comes to things that trouble him."

Rithel nodded – she had a new found respect for Thanniel whose job it was to deal with her awkward, skittish and stubborn little brother every day.

"Yes – I manged to get Lasseg to confide in me in the end." Rithel's lips thinned in anger, "Mithrandir told him the truth about Adar."

"What? Surely not Riel-nin. Why on earth would Mithrandir do something as foolish as that?"

"Who can phantom the workings of a wizards mind?" Rithel snapped before she heaved a heavy sigh, "I am sorry Thanniel I do not mean to be crabby but I am rather upset that Mithrandir has seen fit to scare Lasseg witless with whatever tales he has been spinning. I simply cannot understand why Mithrandir would go behind our backs and tell Legolas the gory details we were hoping to spare him from."

"Well…" Thanniel pursed her lips before they curved into a fond smile, "Your brother can be rather conniving when he puts his mind to it. Perhaps, just perhaps all the blame does not lie with Mithrandir."

Rithel gave a grudging nod; she too had been thinking the same thing. Armed with his wide baby blue eyes and beguiling smirk Legolas could talk most elves into doing his bidding. Yet she would have thought an Istar would be able to resist her tithen gwanûr's charms.

The Princess huffed irritably, "Still, Mithrandir is millennia older than Legolas – he ought not to have let Legolas convince him into doing something so foolish. I shall be having some rather strong words with Mithrandir when I see him."

Rithel gathered her nightgown tighter about her, "I leave Lasseg to your care Thanniel, I'm afraid I can stay no longer. I have several council meetings to endure this day and I am late as is." The silver haired Princess gestured helplessly at her underdressed state.

"Oh of course Riel-nin worry not, Legolas will be well with me. I shall sit with him now as he sleeps and shall wake him around dinner time. That way he'll still be tired enough to get some sleep tonight rather than if he sleeps the entire day away."

Rithel promptly shook off her own yearning to sleep the day away and instead fixed Thanniel with a tired smile. "Thank you for looking over him Thanniel. I know Adar and I do not say it nearly enough but we are eternally in your debt for the way you have cared for Lasseg all these years."

Thanniel only waved a hand and fanned at her reddened face with the other, "Please Riel-nin I need no thanks – Legolas is such a joyful child. He really is no trouble at all. Now please do not let me hold you any longer."

Rithel smiled but whatever she had been about to say was cut off by a small, fearful sounding whimper from Legolas' bedchamber.

Thanniel had the door open and was there at Legolas' side smoothing bed frazzled hair and murmuring calming nothings in the mere blink of an eye. Rithel looked on for moment more as she watched Legolas writhe and cry out once more before he relaxed into calm sleep as Thanniel began to sing. Rithel marvelled at the bond between her baby brother and his not-quite-nanny for a moment longer as she watched the effortless way Thanniel eased Legolas back onto pleasant dream paths; it had taken the Princess far longer. Rithel firmly pushed away the niggle of jealousy that threatened to rear its head and gently shut the door on the scene. She would leave Legolas in Thanniel's more than capable care – she had a realm to run in the continued absence of her Adar.

Rithel rushed out of Legolas' living quarters and hustled down the corridor to her own not caring who saw her in her current state of dress; she had five meetings and a luncheon today and she was late, already stressed and she simply did not understand how her Adar managed to do this 'running a realm' business day in day out even with the help of Lord Arahaelon.

Yet again Rithel could not help but send up fervent prayers for her Adar's swift recovery and healingto any of the Valar who might be interested.

Please, Rithel prayed, we need him back.

~o~

Calelon jerked his head up from where it had been bowed in deep concentration over his work to glance at his King behind him. Thranduil had made a noise – like a gasp of panic - and Calelon studied his King a few moments more as Thranduil struggled against whatever nightmare he was trapped in. The Royal healer sighed, Thranduil had tossed and turned all night long and had not gotten any meaningful rest. The drugs Mithrandir had used upon the King were enough to numb physical pain but were not strong enough to help block out any lingering fears or traumas of the mind.

Thranduil let out another gasp, louder this time, and gave a sudden sharp jerk of his arms. Calelon was up and at his side then – so far the most Thranduil had done was murmur, cry out and toss his head a little – but if the King was going to start thrashing in earnest then Calelon would wake him. He could not afford for the King to further damage his already burnt and torn skin.

Thranduil gave another cry - one of genuine terror and Calelon placed his hand gently on the small bit of unbandaged skin on the right side of Thranduil's face.

"Awaken Aran-nin – you are safe here. The battle is no more – come now Aran-nin awaken."

Calelon sent a small burst of calming, healing energy into his King and willed Thranduil to wake up fully. "Awaken Aran-nin you are back home and you are safe – awaken."

Thranduil jerked awake with a gasp then moaned long and low.

Calelon gave another burst of healing energy, "I'm sorry you are in so much pain Aran-nin, give me but a moment and I will bring you something for it. Just remain still."

Thranduil only gave another low groan and Calelon sat up and walked back to his work station now satisfied the King would no longer be flailing about doing himself further harm.

Calelon picked up a small vial and walked back over to Thranduil's side, "I'm still working on something a little stronger to help with your pain Aran-nin but it's taking a bit longer than hoped. Aiwendil is helping me – in fact he has gone to fetch some of the herbs we need for the new painkiller." Calelon held the vial close up to Thranduil's lips, "This will help you in the meantime."

The instant the vial touched his lips Thranduil jerked back and a grimace was clear on the portion of his face free from bandages.

"N-no." Thranduil gasped the word out with difficulty and Calelon blinked in surprise.

"Aran-nin?"

N-no….no…drugs." Thranduil coughed – a dry harsh sound before he spoke again, "N-n-no… more… s-sleep."

Calelon cocked his head to the side in a questioning manner even thought his King was unable to see it. "I am sorry Aran-nin, I know you probably feel like all you do lately is sleep but it is needed and necessary. Your body needs rest and plenty of it if you are to recover from this."

Thranduil drew in a great raspy breath and tried to speak again. However the sound that left him was only a rough sounding garbled noise before the King collapsed into a coughing fit.

"Shh Aran-nin you should not try to speak right now. The only thing you need to do right now is rest." Calelon held the vial to his King's lips again only for Thranduil to repeat his earlier actions and jerk away from the vial.

"No pl-please…Ca..le..lon. No dr-drugs," Thranduil coughed, "N-no sleep."

The words were gasped out with more than a hint of desperation and Calelon finally understood what his King was trying to say. The King wanted no more drugs as they would make him sleepy and send him back into the world of nightmares, his own private hell.

Calelon put the vial aside and stared down at his King helplessly. It was clear from the harsh panting breaths the King was gulping in and the way his entire body was tense and rigid that he was in significant pain. Surely his nightmares were not so bad as to make the King prefer to stay awake and painkiller free?

"Aran-nin I…I understand you have been suffering nightmares but," Calelon hesitated, "You are in pain Aran-nin – I cannot just sit idly by and let you remain in such agony."

"Can…handle it."

Calelon pursed his lips, "It is about time for me to change your bandages and check over your wounds Aran-nin – that is really something I would rather do with you asleep – it will cause you a great deal of pain."

Thranduil coughed before speaking again, "Can…h-handle…it."

Calelon bit his lip and studied his King for a moment more. He had relaxed a little, body no longer as rigid and tense as it had been meaning Thranduil had gotten somewhat used to the pain that doubtlessly wracked his body. Yet Calelon knew that the cleaning and re-bandaging of Thranduil's wounds would cause the pain to flare again to nigh unbearable levels and the Royal healer really did not want to have to put his King through such an ordeal. He was about to speak again when Thranduil's raspy, dry voice cut him off.

"D-do as you must…Calelon. It is a…an order. Do not put me back… t-to sleep." The King collapsed into yet more coughs, the strain of speaking too much for his dry, sore throat.

Calelon heaved a deep long suffering sigh before he firmly corked his vial of pain-killing medicine. "As you wish it Ara-nin I shall not drug you but at least have some water. Your voice sounds as though you have been gargling rocks."

The King gave a croaky, dry noise that Calelon supposed was meant to be a laugh before hacking coughs overtook him once more. Calelon gave another tired sigh as he filled a glass with cooling water for his King. He was very tempted to slip in a sedative regardless of whatever Thranduil said but he knew there would be hell to pay once the King found out. One did not disobey direct orders from the King no matter how incapacitated said King currently was. Calelon could only hope that Thranduil would give in and see sense before things got too painful for him.

The Royal healer suppressed yet another heavy sigh, it was going to be a long and most trying afternoon.

~o~

The cool rim of a glass was pressed to Thranduil's dry lips.

"Here is your promised drink Aran-nin."

Thranduil took the tiniest sip possible and swished the water round his mouth as he carefully tasted it. He was unsure whether Calelon would heed him or if his wily healer would still attempt to drug him.

"I assure you there is nothing in the water Aran-nin. I have heard your command and I will heed it. You needn't be so suspicious."

Calelon sounded exasperated but Thranduil cared not. When he had last accepted 'water' it had turned out to be laced with a strong sedative that had sent him into a bleak world of seemingly never-ending nightmares. And what nightmares they were. Nay, Thranduil didn't care if he was exasperating his healer so long as he was not forced back into the realm of sleep to suffer through yet more night terrors. The King took another small sip of the water held out for him, tasting it again and satisfied that the liquid wasn't drugged Thranduil took a deeper drink.

Calelon grumbled, "Was my word not enough? I promised you I would not drug you back to sleep just now and though I believe this decision of yours to be folly I will keep my word Aran-nin."

"Hn," Thranduil gave a non-committal grunt; wizards and healers weren't high on his list of trustworthy people and besides that he was too busy trying to gulp down the deliciously cool water.

"Easy Aran-nin," Thranduil found the glass being pulled back from him. "You haven't really eaten nor had anything to drink recently so please just drink slowly. It would be most unpleasant for you if you were to be sick now."

Thranduil huffed in annoyance but gave a small nod to show Calelon he understood and would comply. As thirsty as he was he wasn't eager enough to make himself sick. He instead waited as patiently as he could for Calelon to guide him to drink again and took slow, small sips as directed by his healer.

It was irritating and made Thranduil feel quite pathetic and weak as he had to be hand fed water but there was naught the King could do but suffer through it. His world remained completely dark due to his firmly bandaged eyes, his wounds ached with a fierce fiery pain and his skin felt so tight that he half feared it would split and break if he were to move overmuch. All in all Thranduil had never felt as dire in all his long life but he would be damned if let Calelon know, he was determined to just soldier on through whatever Calelon had to do to him. He really, really did not want to have to go back and relive the horrors of the battlefield in his dreams.

For memory had returned to him in his dreams and his memories were positively terrifying. There was so much, blood, so much death – the stench of both almost buried under the acrid smell of the black smoke that had turned the air into a nigh unbreathable fog. Then there was the memory of the beasts themselves, slithering, serpentine, malicious evil with mouths that breathed flame wreathed destruction.

Thranduil shivered and forcibly wrenched his mind away from such thoughts and memories and brought himself back into the present. There would be no point in his staying awake and suffering through Calelon's ministrations if he was going to fixate on the very memories that plagued his dreams.

The blonde King instead took a fortifying breath and returned his attention to Calelon whom he could hear tinkering somewhere off to his right.

"Wh-," Thranduil coughed, cleared his throat and tried again. "When will you begin?" The King was pleased to hear his voice sounded stronger and smoother than it had a few moments ago.

"Now Aran-nin, I'll begin now – the sooner I start the sooner it will all be over with. I don't wish to prolong this for it will be most unpleasant."

Thranduil tried and failed not to startle at the sudden closeness of Calelon's voice. The ellon had such an infuriating habit of moving so very silently.

"I shall have you wear bells Calelon if you persist with this silent sneakiness," Thranduil took a moment to calm his racing heart before he continued, "For my sake at least will you make a bit more noise when you approach me? At least until I am once again able to sense your presence?"

"I am sorry Aran-nin I forget the situation. I shall take care to make a bit more noise in your presence."

"Hn," Thranduil gave a soft grunt somewhat mollified.

He was still rather worried that he was unable to sense the presence of others but he made no mention of it. He knew Calelon would only tell him to be patient; that his senses would return to him in time.

"Right," Calelon clapped his hands together disrupting Thranduil's musing, "I'll begin with your eyes – see how they look today and then I'll work my way down. I'll need to clean and change all your bandages to keep infection at bay and as I've said before this will not be pleasant for you. I shall respect your wishes to remain awake for now but you must inform me should it all become too much for you Aran-nin…please…you have suffered enough and I wish to cause you no more pain."

Thranduil gave a small smile at his healer's earnest plea; underneath his droll and somewhat sarcastic demeanour Calelon was a rather gentle hearted ellon who would do everything in his power to keep his patients as pain free and happy as they could be in an infirmary.

"Worry not Calelon – do as you must. I can handle it."

Thranduil smirked as he heard Calelon give yet another exaggerated sigh and then he felt the healers' cool hands at either side of his head as Calelon began to gently unwind the bandages that wound round his eyes. The blonde tensed as he waited for the last of the bandages to fall free from his face anxious as to whether he would be met with the so far ever present darkness of if there would be any change that would give him hope of regaining his sight.

Just as Thranduil thought he would burst from the tension the last swathe of cloth was lifted from his face and Calelon's hands were upon his sore, tight skin once more.

"Open your eyes Aran-nin."

Thranduil took a deep fortifying breath before he followed Calelon's almost whispered instruction. The King slowly opened his eyes and did not even wince at the sting they gave upon being opened so great was his anxiety at what he might or might not be able to see.

With his heart pounding a fierce beat in his chest Thranduil let his eyes move from side to side and with a wave of relief that was so strong it stole his very breath the King noticed that though the deep blackness in his left eye remained unchanged the sight in his right eye was a few shades lighter. He still could by no means see but instead of the inky darkness in his left eye the sight from his right eye was a deep grey in colour.

"Your right eye looks a bit better today. Tell me can you see any improvement?"

Thranduil gave a weak nod nor trusting himself to be able to answer the question without betraying just how emotional he felt at that very moment.

"Good – it is as I hoped. It does not look nearly as sore and glazed as it did before. I will continued with the treatment and hopefully you will regain your sight in your right eye before too long."

Thranduil said nothing as he tried to calm his still racing heart as Calelon began to clean his right eye. He had been so very afraid that there would have been no change – that his right eye would have remained just as dark as his left. Had that happened…

Thranduil shivered at the thought, "The difference is not huge but it is there nonetheless."

The King's voice shook, more with emotion that the pain of his sore eye being cleaned and Thranduil took another moment to compose himself. "Where there is complete and utter darkness in my left eye, in my right eye it is now a dark grey. As I said, tis a barely noticeable improvement but I am pleased indeed. I could not remain in this world were I to be completely blinded."

"You mustn't say such things Aran-nin – you are strong and well able to overcome any obstacle thrown in your path."

Thranduil gave a soft snort, "So you say Calelon but I tell you the truth – if I do not regain my sight in at least one eye I will have Rithel instated as Queen and I will sail."

"Do not say such -"

"Nay Calelon," Thranduil interrupted his healers' shocked protests. "Running a realm is difficult enough when able bodied – I could not do it justice if I am blind. And that is not all – if any of my other injuries are grave enough to hinder me in my duties to the realm I will still sail. The people of the Woodland realm do not deserve a cripple as their King – they need someone who is able to protect them properly."

Thranduil heard Calelon's sharp, sudden intake of breath at his second statement and he knew he had shocked the Royal healer but Thranduil was telling the truth. It would cost him all of his pride and be his greatest shame were he to actually have to sail and abandon his realm but Thranduil knew that would be better for his people in the long term. The realm and his people had to take precedence over his wishes and pride and they needed an able bodied, strong leader. The King had given it some thought since regaining consciousness and had decided that should he not make a satisfactory recovery from his injuries he would sail no matter what his Regent, councillors, healers, friends or family had to say about it. He would do right by the realm entrusted to him by his Adar Oropher all those centuries ago.

"A-Aran-nin you…you cannot…you cannot sail." Thranduil felt his healers' hands slide limply from his face, "What…what of the people and…and what of your children? You…you cannot be serious Aran-nin. You will heal! I will do everything in my power to ensue that is so; you must not give up hope so easily."

Thranduil quirked a small smile, touched at Calelon's vehement declaration although he was baffled by it. The blonde King wasn't sure what he had done to inspire such loving loyalty.

"I must say I am touched and honoured that you are so keen and willing to help me but I admit I am baffled as to why. Rithel is well trained and would be a mighty Queen – the future of realm would be safe enough. You do not have to go to extreme lengths for me Calelon – you best will be more than enough."

"N-no. No. I will do my best and more besides Aran-nin and even if I have to scour the very ends of Arda to find that which would aid in your recovery I will do it. Just keep your faith. You will see again in your right eye and you will heal from all your other injuries. I will do all I can to see that it is so."

"But why Calelon? As I said should the worst come to pass and I do indeed sail sure, the people would mourn for a while but within a decade I would be forgotten and life would go on as it ever has."

"You think too little of yourself Aran-nin," Calelon's voice was grave. "The Woodland realm would be nothing without you. Your sailing would be the greatest disaster to befall this realm and its people yet. For it was you who held us all together when your great Adar went to be with Mandos. You pulled us through that dark time and brought us out brighter and better than we could have ever hoped for." The Royal healer gave Thranduil's hand the gentlest of squeezes, "No offense to Riel Rithel but we could not lose you not now, not ever. So kindly remove all thought of sailing from your mind Aran-nin for it shall not happen – not on my watch. Now be still and let me work on your left eye in peace."

TBC.

Adar – Father

Fëa – Soul (Quenya)

Lasseg-nin / Lasseg – My Little Leaf / Little Leaf – Family nickname for Legolas

Tithen – Little

Gwathel - Sister

Istar – Quenya for Wizard

Gwanûr – Brother

Ellon – Male elf

Anor – Sun

Riel / Riel-nin – Princess / My Princess

Mae Govannen – Well met

Suilad – Greetings

Aran-nin - My King

A/N: Finally got some inspiration for this fic again – so much so I've half written the next chapter. I hope you enjoy and thank you for sticking with me :) - KimicT