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Disclaimer:
I
do not own the character or places associated with the Lord of the Rings or
Middle Earth. They are the creations of J. R. R. Tolkien and the property of
Tolkien Enterprises.
Rating:
Pg, some parts Pg-13 for violence.
Synopsis:
Elrond is mysteriously stricken ill. The twins and Aragorn with the help of
Legolas must first find a cause and then a cure before it is too late to save
Elrond. Is it an illness or something more?
Author’s
note:
I will use the names of Estel and Aragorn interchangeably. I am sorry if it
annoys anyone. In the story Aragorn is young and has only known he is
‘Aragorn’ for a short while, so to him he is still both. Reviews are greatly
appreciated. They can be put in the guestbook or emailed.
Italicized
sentences denote mental communication between elves.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter
1: From Bad to Worse
“And
come he slow or come he fast, it is but Death who comes at last.”
-Sir
Walter Scott
*****************
Elrond
Peredhel, Lord of Imladris, was having a bad day.
Bad
week actually.
Messengers
of all types had been coming in all week; everyone from the rangers to Thranduil
had been in need of something. There was also an unusually high influx of
travelers through Rivendell this week.
He
was also caring for what felt like a small army in the healing wing as The Last
Homely Home was quite accident-prone right now. One would think Middle Earth was
about to end with all the activity.
Two
rangers had been injured while, of all things, leaving Rivendell. Leaving
Rivendell! He shook his head. They had managed to run into what were probably
the only orcs on this side of the Misty Mountains and the only ones witless
enough to venture close to Rivendell.
A
young elf, practically dragged in by his parents, had come to him with an arrow
wound in the leg. His brother and he were learning how to shoot a bow and how
that accident happened he did not even want to know. Experience with his sons
had taught him not to ask.
One
traveler broke his leg when he tripped and fell off the side of a ledge
traveling through the mountains. Lucky for him the drop was only several feet.
Elrond wouldn’t have been surprised if he had managed to fall off the top of
one of the mountains.
Three
days ago a poisoned elf in bad shape had arrived from Thranduil’s realm. The
poison came from an orc blade and the healers in Mirkwood could not figure how
to treat it. At least in her favor the poison was lethal, but it was slow
working or she was very resistant to it. Which one he would figure out later. He
had spent the last three days searching day and night through books and scrolls
trying to find the answer to that one. As of this morning she was cured and
resting pain free finally.
Work
dealing with the regular duties of just keeping Rivendell running was backing up
as he was forced to push them aside to deal with other things and the beings in
need of care. Glorfindel, who could take some of the pressure off, was with
Gandalf right now and not due back for a few days. Elrond wouldn’t be
surprised if he managed to injure himself as well on the way back or more
likely, at least recently anyway, do it in Rivendell. Arwen was in Lothlorien
and Elladan, Elrohir, and Estel were out abroad and they at least were do back
anytime. Rarely did one of their trips go as planned and one or more would
probably be in need of care. When they returned they could at least help care
for anyone who came in search of healing as Celaviel, Laurelin, and he were
straining to tend everyone.
Elrond
rubbed at his tired aching eyes as he walked down the hall towards the healing
wing with his pale blue robes swishing gently about his feet. His dark hair hung
freely and upon it was set a silver circlet. Elrond honestly could not remember
the last time he had slept and he had a headache, which had only grown into
massive proportions during the morning. The pressure and pain throbbed in rhythm
with each other. A wry smile touched Elrond’s ageless face as he mused about
making it rain to block out the glare of the sun. ‘No, that would not be right
and you know it,’ he chided himself.
He
brought his hand up to his head when a more pronounced stab of pain pounded
through his head. He briefly wondered what had brought that on, but he did not
have time to think about it now. He was still keeping a close watch over the
Mirkwood maid just in case any complications arose. He shook his head and walked
on.
As
Elrond continued walking a sudden feeling of disorientation came over him. It
passed as quickly as it came.
Shortly
after more stabs of pain shot through his head and he paused to take a deep
steadying breath. Maybe he was going to have to push stubbornness aside and take
something for the pain after all, but that could wait until after he checked on
the girl.
With
his first step, though, a longer wave of disorientation hit. This one was severe
enough that he had to place a hand on the wall for support and Elrond felt like
he was going pass out. It too passed and he straitened himself. He was slightly
concerned to notice that his hands would not stop shaking. He contributed the
spell to fatigue. He must be wearier than he thought. Maybe when his sons
returned, assuming any of them were still able to stand, he would lay down for a
while. He knew the house would only be quiet much longer, not like it was
anyway, but it would be much worse when the young prince arrived later today.
His headache, if possibly, had intensified and he couldn’t keep the strain out
of his eyes. He shut his eyes and rubbed at his temples, but to no avail. He
better hurry and check on everything in the healing wing before his sons
returned.
He
rounded a corner to come face to face with one of the servants.
“Master
Elrond, your sons have returned.”
The
servant’s words seemed extremely loud and Elrond could swear she was shouting
instead of talking.
He
hid a grimace as he nodded his head in recognition.
“They
are in need of your assistance and are on their way to the hall of healing.”
Elrond
sighed. Why did this not surprise him?
“Thank
you, Elerinna.”
She
caught the slight strain in his words and looked on with concerned eyes.
“Are
you well, my lord?” she asked.
“All
is well, thank you,” he replied and walked past before she could say anything
else.
Elrond
really wanted to lie down now, so he hurried past the servant. He entered the
room where his sons were and sighed in relief as all three were alive,
conscious, and for the most part, standing. It looked like they had avoided
serious injury this time and Estel and Elladan were actually laughing. He arched
an eyebrow at them on instinct and the small movement sent another shot of pain
through his head. A soft groan escaped his lips, but his sons were too occupied
with picking on Elrohir to notice.
Elrond
walked over to Elrohir who was the only one sitting down. As Elrond looked at
Elrohir’s leg, Estel and Elladan suppressed their laughter, with great
difficulty, down to merely giggling. Elrohir glared fiercely back at the two.
Had they not been too intent on bickering the three would have noticed
Elrond’s drawn look and the absence of any sort of look directed at them
His
son sported a nasty looking gash on his leg and it was bleeding rather heavily.
Upon further inspection, though, he found it looked far worse than it was,
although, it was probably quite painful. Elrond wondered why none of them had
treated it yet. The wound looked fairly recent and he wondered if the reason was
that it had happened here in Rivendell, which fit in perfectly at the moment. He
briefly considered declaring Imladris a hazardous area and telling people they
would be safer seeking help elsewhere.
Elrond
walked over and to a cabinet and found the poultice to sooth his son’s
probably aching leg; at least as he tried to focus on it through his own pain,
he hoped it was the right one. The rhythmic throbbing was starting to blur his
vision and he was finding it difficult to control the shaking of his hands. When
he managed to open the container the aroma confirmed that he indeed had the
right one. Hearing his two son’s snicker he called quietly to Elrohir over his
shoulder.
“What
happened Elrohir?”
At
his question Estel and Elladan burst out into laughter again.
Elrond
knew he was ill now. He usually knew better than to actually ever ask.
“It
was not my fault!” Elrohir said testily.
Elrond
did not pay attention to the rest of Elrohir explanation. He blocked the
bickering young ones out and forced himself to take steady breaths. Something
was wrong with him. This was definitely more than fatigue. His headache was so
severe it made his ears roar and the shaking was getting worse. The
disorientation came back in full force and he gripped onto the table to steady
the tilting and swaying world. He wanted to, no, he needed to sit down.
Elladan
and Estel were facing towards Elrohir and laughing while Elrohir promised to do
every evil thing he could to them. Elrond was behind Elrohir and they finally
noticed something was wrong when they saw Elrond bring his hand up to his head
and grimace in pain as he clutched the table with his other hand. Elladan and
Estel stopped laughing immediately and rushed over to their father. Elrohir
worriedly saw both of his brother’s expressions sober and turned as they
rushed by him to take in the same image they had seen. Seeing his father’s
eyes scrunched in pain Elrohir forgot about his leg and followed his brothers
over to their father.
Elladan
and Estel both steadied their father as he swayed unsteadily on his feet.
“Ada
what is wrong?” Elladan asked.
Elrond
barely heard his son’s question and it took a moment for the actual words to
sink in. He did feel two supportive holds on him, but he was going to fall down
if he did not sit down and right now. With considerable strength of will he
tried to convey his need. He forced his voice to work, but with the roaring he
couldn’t tell if he was shouting or whispering.
“I
need to sit down,” Elrond said meekly his voice barely above a whisper.
All
three exchanged concerned looks. Bypassing the chair Elladan and Estel led
Elrond over to the bed instead.
Elrond,
leaning heavily on the support of his sons, gratefully sat down. The world was
still spinning with his eyes closed and he did not think he could stand to open
them and watch objects whirl around. ‘What is wrong with me?’ he questioned
himself. He felt gentle hands lower him down to lie on his back. Lying down
helped the disorientation somewhat. It was not quite as overwhelming as it was a
moment ago. The pain was now becoming unbearable, though. It felt like his head
was going to fall off and right now he would even welcome that. The stabbing
pain once again shot through him and, not caring anymore, he groaned in pain.
Elladan
noticed his father loose all color as he guided him over to the bed and he
feared his father would not make it there. Elrond sat down and Elladan gently
lowered him into a laying position. Elrond had not opened his eyes and he still
had one hand holding his head.
“Ada
what is wrong? What can we do? Can you hear me?” Elladan called.
Aragorn
and Elrohir quickly searched Elrond over, but could find nothing wrong. All
three looked in fear and sympathy as Elrond’s body tensed and he groaned
weakly. Elladan glanced at his brother and saw Estel’s eyes bordering on
panic, while Elrohir exchange a very frightened look with him. They could do
nothing if they could find nothing wrong.
Elladan
tried to get his father to answer him again.
“Ada
listen to me,” forcing his voice to sound calm and strong, “we can find
nothing wrong. What are you feeling? What can we do?”
Suddenly
Elrond knew what was happening. Somewhere in the back of his pain clouded mind a
memory came to him. He knew what was wrong with him. But who would do such a
thing and why?
His
sons.
He
wanted to see his sons one more time. With every once of strength he had left
Elrond forced his eyes open. The three faces he wanted to see were hovering
conveniently over him. Even with his eyes open the room was still dim and
getting darker and he could just see all three of them. He could see them all
talking to him, but could not hear the words over the noise. Estel’s face
happened to be hovering a little closer and he dazedly brought one hand up to
touch his youngest’ face.
Aragorn
brought his hand up and placed it over Elrond’s trying to hold back his fear.
“Please
talk to me ada,” Aragorn pleaded.
Elrond
feared what was to come, it would not be pleasant, but most of all he felt
sympathy for his sons here beside him. His elven sons had already had to endure
their mother leaving and Estel had to cope with the death of his father. He
worried how they would all cope with another lose. He wanted to tell them he
cherished them all and that he would see them again someday, but he could not
muster the strength.
This
time the stab of pain was not only in Elrond’s head, but it wracked his whole
body and he unconsciously gripped Aragorn’s hand. A bright light flared in his
vision briefly and then Elrond knew no more.
*****
Elladan,
Elrohir, and Aragorn could do nothing but watch in fear as their father’s eyes
snapped shut and his entire body convulsed as if in extreme pain. Elrond
squeezed Aragorn’s hand with almost crushing force. He did not mind, though.
He only hoped it would provide some comfort to know he was here.
All
three watched in horror as the tension suddenly left their fathers muscles and
he went completely slack. Aragorn found his father was no longer gripping his
hand; instead he was doing all of the clutching. The three stared in stunned
silence for a moment at the pale and motionless figure. Each one fearing what
they might find if they checked.
*****
In
Lothlorien the bright sun filtered down to the figures picnicking on the grass
next to the Celebrant. Galadriel and Arwen were talking merrily and Celeborn
hide his smile upon seeing his wife chatting like a young elf maid and not the
queen of an elven realm.
As
the final wave assaulted Elrond, Galadriel felt the disturbance from Lothlorien.
She stopped mid sentence as a shadow passed over her face. Something bad had
just happened and she had no doubt to whom.
“Grandmother,
are you well?” Arwen’s voice cut into her thoughts.
Celeborn
noticed the strained look that passed over his wife’s features and hurried
over.
“Mani
naa ta?” he asked. //What is
it?//
Galadriel
looked gravely at her husband and turned a sorrowful gaze to her granddaughter.
“Something
ill has befallen, for I can no longer feel Elrond.”
*******
Glorfindel,
with quick reflexes, reached out for Gandalf as the Istari’s step faltered
momentarily.
“Are
you alright, mellonamin?” asked the fair-haired elf.
“Oh,
dear,” Gandalf said simply as he looked to the northeast.
“What
is that family getting into now?” he asked grimly.
He
turned to look at Glorfindel who was staring at him patiently.
“We
must hurry back to Rivendell. There is no time to spare.”
Glorfindel
simply nodded to Gandalf and followed after him. The elf smiled at his friend.
For one who leaned on a staff the wizard was surprising fleet of foot when he
chose to be.
*******
Elladan
stirred first. Swallowing down his now rising panic he quickly reached out and
checked for a pulse. He said silent thanks to the Valar as he found a weak one
and looked up to see his two brothers staring at him expectantly.
“He
is alive,” Elladan rasped out.
Aragorn,
refusing to let go of his father’s hand, squeezed it even more in relief.
“Anyone
care to take a guess as to what exactly just happened?” Elrohir’s unsteady
voice broke the silence.
“I
do not know,” Elladan answered, “but whatever it was came on suddenly.”
Hoping
against hope Elladan tried in vein to rouse his father. Except for the act of
breathing Elrond was completely lifeless. On impulse he checked his father’s
pupils and was disturbed to find them dilated.
“What
are we to do?” asked Aragorn.
“What
can we do, Estel? We do not even know what is wrong,” said Elladan.
“We
can get ada out of here,” Elrohir chimed in, “ and take him to his own
chamber.”
Elladan
nodded in agreement for he did not have any better suggestions. Three heads
turned to the door as someone entered.
Celaviel
entered looking for Elrond. He was supposed to have met her to check on the
Mirkwood elf by now. She walked in to see his sons were back and one of them was
bleeding. ‘That would explain it,’ she mused. She smiled and walked towards
them.
“Have
you seen your…” Celaviel’s voice trailed off as she noticed the one she
was seeking was lying on the bed the three boys were crowded around.
“What
happened?” she asked as she too crowded around the bed.
“We
do not know,” Elrohir answered.
“Suddenly
adar was in pain and became weak. He blacked out shortly before you entered,”
Elladan finished.
“We
were just about to take him back to his room,” Aragorn chimed in.
Celaviel
absorbed the news, with some effort, calmly. She nodded her head in
understanding.
“I
will gather…”
“No
need,” Aragorn cut her off as he easily picked the lithe form up in his arms.
Celaviel
shrugged. At least this would be quicker. She led the way through the house
towards Elrond’s room clearing elves out of the way as she went. Elladan right
behind her was glad he had never had her ire towards him.
Upon
seeing the unconscious form of Elrond with all of his sons escorting him, the
small group received plenty of wide-eyed stares and even a few gasps. They made
it to Elrond’s chambers and Celaviel pushed open the door.
Aragorn
shifted his father’s weight slightly before they passed through the door
causing his head to shift on the ranger’s shoulder. The slight shift brushed
against the silver circlet and it fell clattering to the floor with the sound
echoing down the still hall. Aragorn entered and laid his father gently down on
the bed.
Elrohir
paused before he entered the room and gingerly picked up the dislodged object.
*****
Legolas
and his two companions came down the mountain pass with Rivendell right before
them. He smiled wryly as he realized his father would be pleased and quite
surprised they had made it all the way to Rivendell without any trouble. He did
not know if his father would believe him or not when he told him that not a one
of them had to be carried in. Lord Elrond was definitely going to be surprised
and Legolas was grateful he was going to be spared one of his many looks. Now if
only Aragorn and he had this kind of luck, he mused.
As
soon as Legolas came down into the valley he knew something was amiss. The
valley did not feel the same. The mirthful and soothing peacefulness that
usually hung in the air was, well, the only word he could think of was, dulled.
It was still quiet, but it was far too quiet. Rivendell had lost some its
agelessness. Fear gripped at Legolas as he spurred the horse into a run with his
companions close behind as he felt a sense of urgency. As they approached the
Last Homely Home no singing, which was always present, floated to Legolas’
ears. None of Rivendell inhabitants were outside in the gardens either. The
emptiness made him uneasy. He stopped right in front of the porch, ran up the
stairs, and pushed open the doors. Usually Estel or one of the twins met him at
the door, but there was absolutely no one here. If they had forgotten about his
expected arrival then something had to be wrong. His uneasiness only grew.
Legolas
sprinted down the empty hallways towards Aragorn’s room. He knocked on the
door, but there was no answer. He knocked again calling out his friend’s name.
Where was that infuriating human?
******
Celaviel
insisted on treating Elrohir’s leg. Right now Elrohir was so worried he had
forgot about it entirely and tried to dismiss it. Celaviel fixed him with a
stern look and placed her hands firmly on her hips.
“You
are bleeding all over the floor, my young lord, so sit.”
Her
voice held no room for argument. Elrohir reluctantly sat down.
Despite
the situation Aragorn smiled to himself. He had used that same tone on Legolas
many times to get him to relent to being check over.
“Legolas!”
he said out loud as he smacked himself in the head.
His
friend was about to arrive.
Elladan
looked at him in confusion for a moment and then realization dawned in his eyes.
“I
will go see if he is here,” Aragorn offered and rose from the bed reluctantly
placing his father’s hand down.
As
Aragorn left the room Elladan took up his position.
******
Aragorn
jogged down the empty hall. Word always spread fast around here. He would have
bypassed the hall to his room had he not heard someone calling his name. Aragorn
poked his around the corner.
“Legolas!”
he called as he ran to greet his friend.
Legolas
took one look at Aragorn’s face and saw the underlying fear.
“What
is wrong?” Legolas asked clasping Aragorn’s arm in greeting.
Aragorn
gave a bitter laugh.
“I
wish we knew.”
Legolas
cocked his head to the side in confusion. ‘You are only confusing him,’
Aragorn berated himself.
“Ada
is…sick.”
Legolas
arched his brow at that. Elves did not get ‘sick.’
“He
collapsed earlier and will not wake. We have no idea what is wrong,” Aragorn
stared at the ground and he talked.
It
pained him to say the words even as he spoke them. Somehow telling Legolas made
it more real.
Legolas
was stunned. Of all the beings to be struck down by illness. It was ironic to
think that the one known for his healing ability was the one ill. Legolas put
his hand supportively on his friend’s arm.
“Do
not worry, Estel. I am sure everything will be fine.”
Aragorn
managed a grateful smile before he led Legolas down the hall. They walked to
Elrond’s door and Legolas paused for a second. He did not feel quite right
entering into Elrond’s room. He felt like an elfling going into an adult’s
room to be reprimanded. Legolas pushed the foolish thought down and followed
Aragorn as he entered.
The
first thing Legolas saw when he passed through the door was Elrohir sitting in a
chair getting his leg bandaged by Celaviel. He turned his head and was not
prepared for what he saw. Elladan was sitting on the edge of the bed holding his
father’s hand. It was seeing the elf lord lying pallid and motionless that
made Aragorn’s words sink in. The aura of strength and agelessness that
usually surrounded Elrond, the same strength that had comforted him many times
in the past, was missing and he looked very vulnerable. It saddened him deeply
to see someone whom at times felt almost like a surrogate father look so.
“Legolas,”
said Elrohir as he stood and clasped his wrists, “I apologize. I forgot you
were coming. I am sorry.”
“There
is nothing to forgive,” Legolas tried to smile supportively.
Elrohir
looked at Legolas in confusion.
“Did
you come alone?” he asked.
“I
am afraid I left my companions standing back in the hall,” Legolas answered
somewhat embarrassed.
“My
lords?” Celaviel broke in.
“I
must go check on the young maiden and see if Laurelin needs help. I will be back
up later to see if you need anything and I will see to it that your companions
get settled in.”
Legolas
said his thanks and Celaviel left the room.
“When
did this happen?” Legolas asked.
“Late
this morning,” Aragorn answered.
“He
is moving.” Elladan called quickly from the bed and the three crowded around.
Elrond
fitfully turned his head back and forth and he his features took on a strained
look.
“Ada?
Can you hear me?” Elladan called.
His
sons and even Legolas tried talking to Elrond, but he stopped his fitful
movements and did not rouse.
Elladan,
Elrohir, Estel, and Legolas stayed close to Elrond for the remainder of the day.
Besides the occasional fitful movements the Lord of Rivendell remained comatose.
*******
One
lone elf in Rivendell walked down the empty halls with an extra spring in their
step. ‘That was too easy,’ they thought.
Elrond
had not seen that coming.
See
what unfounded trust can get a person?
“Where
is your gift of foresight now?” the lone elf mused out loud.
******************
* --- Concerning Galadriel and Gandalf, I am going on the assumption that since they hold the other two elven rings they can feel something wrong. Since Celebrimdor alone forged these rings last I would guess they are somewhat linked to each other.
*****************